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A
public hearing to receive comment on legislation to combat the problem
of Medicaid fraud will be conducted by the New York State Senate
Wednesday, Sept. 21 beginning at 10 a.m. in Hearing Room A of the
Legislative Office Building in Albany. The hearing will be conducted
jointly by the Senate Committees on Health and Social Services,
Children and Families along with the Senate Medicaid Reform Task Force,
co-chaired by Sen. Kemp Hannon and Sen. Raymond Meier.
The
Albany hearing is the first of several public hearings that will be
held throughout the state to receive input on comprehensive Medicaid
fraud legislation, sponsored by Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre),
that was passed by the Senate in May.
The
state Assembly will conduct a public hearing on Monday, Sept. 19
beginning at 11 a.m. in the Hamilton Hearing Room B, Legislative Office
Building, 2nd Floor, Albany, to examine state efforts to identify,
investigate and prosecute fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program.
The Senate introduced and passed legislation during the 2005
legislative session (S.3685-B) to establish an independent Office of
Medicaid Inspector General. The purpose of the Office of Medicaid
Inspector General would be to integrate, consolidate and coordinate the
investigation of Medicaid fraud related activities of state and local
governments within the state and, where necessary, to coordinate or
contribute to the prosecution of fraud. The Assembly did not act on the
Senate legislation. On Aug.5, Gov. George Pataki signed an Executive
Order to establish such an office.
"Medicaid fraud cheats both taxpayers and those who legitimately rely
on Medicaid for vital services," Sen. Meier (R, Western) said. "The
present system of fraud prevention and investigation lacks a focal
point of authority and accountability and has yielded meager results.
Through the hearings, the Senate will continue its leadership role in
advancing real solutions to New York's Medicaid crisis."
"Through public discourse, I am certain the Medicaid Reform Task Force
will again produce solid recommendations for an improved system for
Medicaid fraud prevention," Senator Hannon said. "New Yorkers deserve
an accountable Medicaid program. Containing fraud, waste and abuse can
only enhance the effectiveness of the Medicaid program and result in
both excellent medical care for beneficiaries, and the wise expenditure
of scarce taxpayers dollars."
"With
estimates that Medicaid fraud could cost taxpayers billions of dollars
each year, we have to bring the program under control, better
coordinate our fraud-fighting effort and employ the latest technology
to return those savings back to taxpayers," said Sen. Skelos. "The
information and recommendations we will receive through the hearings
will enable us to build on our efforts to dramatically reorganize and
reform New York's process of detecting and combating Medicaid fraud and
ultimately save State and local taxpayers hundreds of millions of
dollars."
Specific dates, times and locations for the other Senate public hearings will be announced as they are finalized.
In 2005, New York State's Medicaid expenditures are projected to exceed
$44.5 billion. The General Accounting Office estimates that fraud
accounts for approximately ten percent of all Medicaid spending. That
said, other studies suggest that fraud could consume up to 25 percent
of certain segments of New York State's Medicaid budget. 9-15-05
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