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 These asset tests were repealed in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.