WPCNR'S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Adam T. Bradley. July 28, 2006: This Legislative session, the Legislature took the lead to end Medicaid fraud and passed bipartisan legislation that I sponsored to protect taxpayers from millions of dollars in fraud (A.12015/S.8450). The legislation was passed by both houses of the Legislature and awaits the governor’s signature.
The Legislature’s aggressive strategy to combat Medicaid fraud includes more effective accountability measures via the creation of a Medicaid Inspector General and stricter penalties for offenders. Our bipartisan plan will help to eliminate waste and fraud in the Medicaid program by creating a system of checks and balances.
Increasing accountability through a Medicaid Inspector General
To achieve its goal of eradicating Medicaid fraud, the Legislature proposed creating the office of Medicaid Inspector General to detect and combat fraud, waste and abuse in the state’s Medicaid system. Responsibilities of the office include Medicaid auditing and fraud and abuse prevention. The Medicaid Inspector General will be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of the governor.
The bipartisan Legislative agreement also creates five new crimes, including four felonies, to fight Medicaid fraud. These health care fraud offenses include corresponding fines and penalties that range from up to a year in jail to up to 25 years in prison.
Medicaid fraud wastes taxpayers dollars and robs our most vulnerable – the sick, disabled and the elderly – of needed care. Cracking down on these abuses will help protect both people who need care as well as taxpayers. I urge the governor to help us eliminate this costly burden on taxpayers and the health care system by signing this common sense measure into law immediately.
