Availability of health services is critical to every family, including families involved with the child welfare system. Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are two Federal-State health insurance and services programs for low-income children, youth, and families.
Fraud, abuse and waste in Medicaid cost states billions of dollars every year, diverting funds that could otherwise be used for legitimate health care services. Not only do fraudulent and abusive practices increase the cost of Medicaid without adding value – they increase risk and potential harm to patients who are exposed to unnecessary procedures.