Governor Kevin Stitt sent a scathing letter to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond concerning his call for an audit of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Stitt is calling for Drummond to cooperate with the Trump administration’s crackdown on Medicaid fraud. That did not sit well with Drummond.
In a letter to Drummond, Stitt said President Donald Trump’s audit effort is focused on “aggressive enforcement, accurate documentation, and real accountability from Medicaid providers.”
“That is the right agenda, and Oklahoma should be leading it,” Stitt wrote.
The governor also criticized Drummond’s recent request for an independent audit of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, calling it politically motivated and claiming it aligns with the interests of donors opposed to increased oversight efforts tied to the state’s managed care system, known as SoonerSelect.
Stitt said SoonerSelect has improved transparency and accountability in Oklahoma’s Medicaid programs and emphasized the need for cooperation with federal efforts targeting fraud and abuse.
Drummond responded by accusing the governor of protecting insurance companies instead of taxpayers and Medicaid recipients.
“The governor and OHCA, which is responsible for overseeing Oklahoma’s Medicaid program, have chosen to defend the insurance companies rather than the people they serve,” Drummond said.
Drummond also pushed back on Stitt’s criticism by pointing to Oklahoma’s record on Medicaid fraud enforcement and said he plans to meet with Vice President JD Vance next week to discuss the state’s efforts.
The attorney general also argued the public deserves answers about whether Medicaid funds have been used for gender-transition drugs or surgeries, including for minors.
“The people of Oklahoma have every right to know whether their tax dollars have paid for gender-transition drugs and surgeries, including for minors,” Drummond said. “Instead of providing answers, the governor is telling Oklahomans to stop asking questions.”
