As the midterm elections loom, Centene has been caught in the middle of the Georgia campaigns for governor and attorney general because of the company's political donations and its legal settlements with states for allegedly overbilling Medicaid programs.
In Georgia, Centene's Peach State Health Plan provides Medicaid coverage to about 1 million individuals.
In total, the company has paid out at least $489 million to settle allegations it overbilled state Medicaid programs for pharmacy services. Kaiser Health News reported Oct. 18 that Centene is currently working to settle billing issues with nine states, including Georgia. The company has already agreed to settle with 13 additional states.
According to a 2021 SEC report, Centene created a $1.25 billion reserve fund to pay for these settlements.
KHN also reported that incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has received more than $100,000 from Centene, its subsidiaries or employees since 2018.
On Oct. 18, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Centene has donated more than $70,000 to the campaign of incumbent Republican Attorney General Chris Carr. According to KHN, $10,000 came directly from CEO Sarah London and $6,000 from the company's general counsel, Chris Koster.
"Mr. Carr, will you continue to put your personal interest and the interest of your corporate donors ahead of the people in Georgia?" Mr. Carr's opponent, Democratic state Sen. Jen Jordan, said during a recent debate.
"From a campaign perspective, I've done everything above board legally and ethically,” he responded.