Taxpayer spending on 'exorcisms' derails Senate testimony: 'What the hell are we doing about it?'

Sen. John Kennedy criticized California's Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) for covering exorcisms and indigenous spiritual healing practices, questioning why taxpayer dollars fund these services. The controversy emerged as California's Medicaid spending has doubled since 2019 and the Trump administration has suspended $1.4 billion in federal funding over fraud concerns. Governor Newsom defended the expansion of coverage for traditional healers and natural helpers within tribal communities as a step toward healing historical wounds.