California’s Medi-Cal Under Scrutiny for Covering Traditional Healing Practices

Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana criticized California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, for its spending practices. During a Tuesday hearing, Kennedy discussed reports suggesting that the state funds exorcisms and faith-based healing through this program. This comes as the Trump administration examines Medi-Cal for potential fraud.

California’s Medicaid expenditures have surged since 2019, increasing from approximately $100.7 billion to an estimated $222 billion projected for 2026. Last week, the Trump administration halted $1.4 billion in federal funding for California’s home health and hospice programs. The administration’s anti-fraud task force, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, identified about $600 million in suspected fraud within the state’s Medicaid system.

In his questioning of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Kennedy alleged that taxpayer money was being used for exorcisms, a practice primarily linked with the Catholic Church, along with other indigenous spiritual practices. Kennedy queried the state’s accountability, highlighting this as a significant concern. Reports from The Wall Street Journal had previously noted that California provides Medicaid coverage for such spiritual rituals.

In 2024, Medi-Cal expanded its coverage to include traditional healers and natural helpers within tribal communities. The program now covers services such as music therapy and spiritual interventions, which involve ceremonies, rituals, and herbal remedies. According to a press release from Governor Gavin Newsom’s office, these practitioners must meet specific criteria to receive state recognition. A traditional healer must have been a spiritual leader within an American Indian tribe for at least two years and work with an Indian Health Care Provider. The requirements for a natural helper are less rigorous, needing only to be a ‘trusted’ community member.

Gov. Newsom explained that this expansion aims to heal historical wounds experienced by tribes. He stated, “By supporting greater access to traditional medicine and healing, we are taking another step toward a healthier, brighter future.”

It is still unknown how much Medi-Cal has spent on these services, as the California Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to inquiries at the time of publication.

Elaine Mallon, reporting for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, covers national politics.