Billions of Federal Tax Dollars Misspent on New York's Medicaid Program

New York State's Medicaid program is the largest in the country. In fiscal year 2010, New York's $2,700 per resident Medicaid spending exceeded per capita Medicaid spending in the rest of the country by more than $1,500. When problems have been identified, the cost associated has often been large as well. Poor program oversight by both the State and federal Government has contributed to these problems. This report discusses past findings of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), investigative reporters, whistle-blowers and this Committee of waste, fraud, and abuse within New York's Medicaid program. It also discusses positive steps taken by Governor Andrew Cuomo to address many of those problems, highlights continuing concerns, and offers several recommendations aimed at protecting future tax dollars from being misspent. Several of the costly problems discussed in this report include: .....