Recently, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a stunning audit of the state Medicaid program that showed that over the last four years more than $800 million was wasted on “improper” payments and other “questionable” transactions. This is startling news.

New York’s Medicaid program is among the most expensive in the nation, costing taxpayers $54 billion annually. There is no doubt that we need social safety-net programs for the poor and disabled, but, New York has adopted the Cadillac of plans. As you may know, the Medicaid program is set by the state, but is implemented by your county government. The state legislature over the decades kept adding expensive ancillary-care programs to the federally mandated minimum Medicaid program. This was generous, yet our local governments and taxpayers have been forced to foot the bill for a program with out-of-control and growing costs.

Together, the overly-generous program and fraudulent claims costing hundreds of millions is crippling a program that is indeed important to the people who truly need a social safety net. It is clear New York needs to do more to prevent fraud and waste. 

We have a number of ways we can address the problem, which includes the state taking full responsibility for the costs associated with Medicaid. That would bring more accountability and incentive to reduce the costs. Additionally, I support bill A.5201, which prohibits any additional unfunded mandates regarding Medicaid unless the state increases local aid or is willing to eliminate an existing mandate of at least equal cost. These legislative solutions would address the uncontrolled growth of spending in the program.

Secondly, I support legislation that would create incentives for counties to prosecute Medicaid fraud. The bill I support, A.5113, would allow counties to collect 100 percent of the local share of Medicaid fraud prosecutions, or 10 percent of the total recovery, whichever is greater.

New York must take a tougher stance on reducing Medicaid costs and going after fraud. If we don’t get serious about the growing problems in the program, it will be so costly it will not be sustainable and could be threatened altogether. It is time for my legislative colleagues to pay attention.      

Marc W. Butler (R,C,I–Newport) is a New York State Assemblyman for the 118th District, which encompasses parts of Oneida, Herkimer, and St. Lawrence counties, as well as all of Hamilton and Fulton counties. Contact him at butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us