Brooklyn Legislators Urge Reinstatement Of Measures To Prevent Medicaid Fraud

The following is a press release from the office of State Senator Marty Golden:

Brooklyn,  NY  –  State  Senator  Martin  J. Golden and Assemblywoman
Nicole Malliotakis held a press conference today at their Brooklyn District
office  to  discuss  the  ongoing  Medicaid fraud in the State of New York.
Senator  Golden  and  Assemblywoman  Malliotakis  called for the passage of
S5402/A7816.   These  bills call for the reinstatement of the asset testing
requirements  to  qualify for Medicaid.  These asset tests were repealed in
2009 and have led to ongoing fraud and abuse without preemptive action.

Senator  Golden,  the  sponsor  of  S5402,  stated, “2010 saw over $5
Billion  in Medicaid Fraud in New York.  Last year we had dozens of reports
of  the  most  wealthy  scamming  the system and stealing benefits that are
meant  for  the neediest in our society.  Today we stand here to say enough
is enough.  Asset testing simply gives the state and city the power to stop
fraud  before  it stops, and assure that the only people who get government
assistance are those who truly need it.”

Assemblywoman  Malliotakis,  the  sponsor  of  A7816, stated, “Waste,
fraud,  and  abuse  is  plaguing nearly all of our social service programs,
while resources are being taken from people that truly need them by corrupt
individuals  robbing  taxpayer  dollars  for  their  own benefit.  New York
spends  approximately  24% more on Medicaid than California, yet California
has  17  million  more  residents.   I  am  proud to join Senator Golden in
calling  for  reinstatement of the Medical Resource Asset Test, as Medicaid
fraud  costs  New  York  State  $5 billion annually and is becoming all too
common in our community.”

State Senator Marty Golden represents Senate District 22, which includes Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Gerritsen Beach and Marine Park; as well as parts of Bensonhurst, Midwood, Gravesend, and Sheepshead Bay.

State Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis represents Assembly District 60, which includes parts of Eastern Staten Island and Bay Ridge.