BONUS POD: Deadliest U.S.–Cuba Flashpoint in Decades plus MN's Outrageous Medicaid Scam

1. Cuba Coast Guard Incident

• A US‑registered speedboat was fired upon by Cuban authorities, resulting in 4 deaths and 6 injuries.
• Cuba claims:
  • The boat’s occupants fired first.
  • Passengers (Cuban nationals living in the US) carried assault rifles, handguns, body armor, etc.
  • The group was attempting armed infiltration with terrorist intent.
• The US position:
  • Nothing is verified yet; US agencies are investigating.
  • Officials (Rubio, Vance, DHS, Coast Guard) are demanding access to survivors.
  • No indication the operation had any US government involvement.
• The event raises fears of a major diplomatic flashpoint, given:
  • Historical tension (e.g., 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown).
  • Current hardline US posture toward Cuba.

2. Minnesota Medicaid Fraud Crackdown

• The Trump administration has paused $259.5 million in Medicaid reimbursements to Minnesota over large‑scale fraud concerns.
• Fraud schemes allegedly include:
  • Paying mothers $1,000 to falsely diagnose children with autism to bill Medicaid.
  • A provider billing for 450 days of work exceeding 24 hours/day.
  • Centers billing for beneficiaries who were already deceased.
• VP JD Vance and CMS Director Dr. Oz emphasize:
  • The fraud involves home and community‑based services that are hard to audit.
  • Minnesota must submit a corrective action plan or risk losing up to $1 billion in funds.
  • Providers have already been paid by Minnesota; the federal government is withholding reimbursement from the state, not from citizens.

Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening

X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.