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A MILLION REASONS WHY
Thomas F. O'Mara
June 5, 2015
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Mayors, county executives and other local officials throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, and statewide, continue to point to Medicaid as their heaviest financial burden.
That's why recent reports are so troubling.
These reports include two audits by the state comptroller’s office continuing to show that despite years of legislative efforts to rid New York’s Medicaid system of abuse, fraud and waste – efforts that included the creation of the Office of Medicaid Inspector General nearly a decade ago – not enough is being done.
In one prominent case earlier this year, nine New York doctors were indicted in Brooklyn as part of a $7-million Medicaid fraud scheme which took advantage of thousands of homeless people by luring them into offices for unnecessary medical testing in exchange for free sneakers.
Recent legislation approved by the Senate would help root out Medicaid abuse, fraud and waste.
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Go to Newsroom![Senator O'Mara and Assemblyman Palmesano (far r.) visited the Addison Public Library summer reading program on Thursday. From left to right above: Pat McAllister, Library Director Lori-Joy Patterson, Senator O'Mara, and Assemblyman Palmesano.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/addisonlibrary_newweb.jpg?itok=pYmBALaS)
!["It’s a great opportunity to help keep the Finger Lakes region on the national map and to show our pride in The Glen as a favorite destination for visitors from across the country, a cornerstone of our leading tourism industry, and a driving force for charity, community service, and economic development," said Senator O'Mara and Assemblyman Palmesano.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/watkinsgleninternational_1.jpg?itok=XzXy3WQ-)
![“We appreciate the Coalition offering this opportunity for Hornell-area survivors to participate in these yoga sessions designed to help reduce stress, fatigue, and pain,” said Senator O'Mara.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/bccr2_0.jpg?itok=QHim2kn3)