Watchdog Group Calls Out Biden-Harris Admin, Accused Of Using Medicare Email For Campaigning

A watchdog group has filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, alleging that the Biden-Harris administration used a taxpayer-funded email list to promote Vice President Kamala Harris in violation of the Hatch Act. The Foundation for Accountability & Civic Trust (FACT) raised concerns about an email sent in September by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to millions of Medicare recipients.

The email featured a message from President Joe Biden, praising his administration’s healthcare reforms, particularly crediting Harris’ involvement. The message claimed that reforms led by Harris were lowering costs for seniors and securing health as a “right” for Americans, which some have argued echoes Democratic campaign rhetoric.

Kendra Arnold, FACT’s executive director, argued that the email crossed a line by promoting Harris in a manner inconsistent with HHS’s official function. She claimed that using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) database for political messaging was “outrageous” and questioned if officials, including HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, violated the Hatch Act.

Several Medicare recipients complained about receiving the email, describing it as politically motivated and calling it an “ad for Kamala Harris.” The email’s mention of Harris’ tie-breaking vote on healthcare policy particularly angered some recipients.

FACT called the email an obvious misuse of government resources, stating that taxpayer-funded communications are not meant for promoting candidates. Arnold requested the Office of Special Counsel investigate the email’s content and the motives behind it, arguing that ignoring this complaint would undermine the Hatch Act’s purpose.

FACT, a Washington-based nonprofit, promotes ethics and transparency in government and hopes an investigation will discourage future political messaging through government channels.

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