Morning Wire ‘Medicaid Millionaires' Exposed & Spirit Airlines Shutters | 5.4.26
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May 4, 2026 
Luke Rosiak, investigative reporter who uncovered a sprawling Ohio Medicaid fraud scheme. Megan Basham, culture reporter who breaks down Spirit Airlines’ sudden collapse and travel fallout. Cabot Phillips, international correspondent who reviews Iran’s new peace proposal and the White House reaction. They tackle the Medicaid investigation, the airline shutdown and political and economic ripples from Iran’s offer.
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How Ohio's Medicaid Waivers Created Huge Vulnerabilities
- Ohio's Medicaid waiver expanded payment scope into nonmedical homemaking and companionship services that are easily unverifiable.
- Luke Rosiak found home health spending hit $1 billion in 2024 and many claims are paid for simple conversation or chores in private homes.
Entire Blocks Replaced By Home Health Care Firms
- A concentrated industry boom replaced ordinary businesses with hundreds of home health providers in parts of Columbus.
- Rosiak visited addresses listing dozens of companies, like one building housing 93 firms that billed $66 million yet showed few occupants.
Enforcement Gaps And Demographics Amplify Fraud Risk
- Investigators observed that many operators and employees are recent immigrants, and enforcement rules like GPS tracking were weakened.
- Managers admitted about 70% of employees were relatives paid to sit with family, and Ohio removed car GPS requirements.