![Senator Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_small/public/02-10-15_official_hs_omara-hs-040_0.jpg?itok=gJ9N77KJ)
TAXPAYERS BEWARE
Thomas F. O'Mara
February 23, 2015
![](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/800-586-11A_25_0.jpg?itok=UOtc1jpz)
A mid-January report from the state comptroller’s office found that the state Department of Health (DOH) wrongly paid more than 29,000 pharmacy claims, worth nearly $1 million, for thousands of Medicaid recipients already covered by managed care plans.
And just last week, a second comptroller’s report found that the DOH failed to collect an estimated $120 million in available rebates from prescription drug makers.
These are the findings that drive state taxpayers crazy.
For more than a decade, various reports have highlighted wasteful Medicaid spending. Time and again, New York’s system has been characterized as one of the nation's most expensive and wasteful, continually plagued by rip-offs and scams.
Ten years ago, Medicaid spending was roughly $42 billion annually. Now, the cost is about to increase to $60 a year.
Share this Article or Press Release
Newsroom
Go to Newsroom![“Emergency preparedness, response and recovery are fundamental government responsibilities,” said Senator O'Mara.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/emergencyradioservices_newweb.jpg?itok=JiSbkJBF)
!["This grant will help several local businesses expand and greatly assist us in our efforts to attract additional businesses to Yates County," said Finger Lakes Economic Development Center CEO Steve Griffin.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/pennyanairport_newweb.jpg?itok=JKV9-orO)
![“I believe CCC’s Machine Tool Technology program is a perfect example of the type of locally based workforce development model and investment that the Senate should seek to encourage and expand across the board,” said Senator O'Mara, shown in the photo above with CCC Associate Professor Michael Reynolds.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/cccmachinetool-visit_newweb.png?itok=efvRPJvj)