Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has gained access to the systems and technology of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), overseeing health insurance programs for over 140 million Americans. This is part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump to identify fraud and waste in government.
Two CMS agency veterans are working with DOGE to ensure that the access is “read-only,” meaning that DOGE representatives cannot make changes to the systems. The team is examining technology, spending, and organizational design to pinpoint potential issues.
DOGE’s access includes key payment and contracting systems, such as the CMS Acquisition Lifecycle Management system, which contains information about contracts. Musk posted on social media that this is where “big money fraud” occurs, without providing evidence.
The White House defended DOGE’s actions, saying they were fulfilling Trump’s commitment to make the federal government more accountable. However, details of the systems accessed by DOGE remain unclear, with one system not allowing access to identifiable personal health information of Medicare or Medicaid enrollees.
This development follows Musk’s unprecedented control over the 2.2-million-member federal workforce and his reshaping of government processes. The CMS has taken a “thoughtful approach” to identify opportunities for more effective use of resources in line with President Trump’s goals.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/doge-aides-search-medicare-agency-payment-systems-fraud-wsj-reports-2025-02-05