New York Governor Kathy Hochul attends a press conference at NYPD headquarters in New York City, U.S., January 6, 2026. REUTERS/Angelina Katsanis
(New York, New York) — Mehmet Oz, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is demanding answers from New York Governor Kathy Hochul over the state’s massive Medicaid program, which totals roughly $124 billion.
According to reports, Oz sent a list of about 50 questions to Hochul’s administration seeking clarity on how the state is managing and spending Medicaid funds. The questions focus on transparency, oversight, and whether taxpayer dollars within New York’s Medicaid system are being properly accounted for.
The inquiry comes as scrutiny grows around the size and cost of New York’s Medicaid program, one of the largest in the country. Critics argue the scale of the spending warrants stronger oversight and clearer explanations from state leaders, while supporters say the funding is necessary to provide healthcare coverage for millions of residents across the state.
Oz’s request for answers underscores ongoing political tensions over healthcare spending and accountability in Albany, with pressure mounting for the Hochul administration to provide greater transparency on how the billions in Medicaid funding are being allocated.
