CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced federal findings that Minnesota’s Medicaid autism program spending surged from about $3 million in 2018 to roughly $400 million by 2023 — a more than 13,000% increase — amid allegations that multiple autism centers submitted fraudulent claims. Federal prosecutors have charged and secured guilty pleas against providers, including a Smart Therapy operator accused of paying monthly cash kickbacks of $300–$1,500 to recruit families and billing millions for services not delivered. Oz gave Governor Tim Walz 60 days to address the fraud or face federal action; lawmakers have demanded investigations while state officials coordinate with federal partners. (startribune.com)