NY Medicare A Fiscal Disaster Unto Itself

Paterson wants to cut a couple billion from the budget next year from a variety of programs. Yet if we just fix our state's Medicare program, we could get off to a good start in plugging that gap. The exact amount of what they waste over there isn't known for sure yet, but if what DiNapoli reported is systemic in their bureaucracy, we could be talking a lot of money.

From The NY Daily News:

In a pair of audits released Wednesday, DiNapoli slammed the state Health Department, which runs the $42 billion Medicaid program, for poor management of its electronic billing system and for allowing too many improper payments to get through.

One audit, which reviewed only a small segment of the automated system's functions, identified $437,655 in overpayments and another $5.5 million in payments that did not receive proper scrutiny.

Another audit found $1.8 million in overpayments to Medicaid providers for services that either already had been covered by the federally funded Medicare program or should have been.

DiNapoli thinks the waste runs into the tens of millions. The fact that nearly two million in overpayments were made is shameful considering it takes just a quick check to see if the Feds cover those bills. I can't even begin to imagine how much the money the state would save if all agencies were properly maintained, meaning carefully watching expenses and trimming the fat from everyone's budgets. The M.T.A. could save untold amounts of cash simply by getting rid of the Admins nobody needs.

Assemblymen Feel The Heat Over DiNapoli

Corruption and the benefits of being in the 'club' have been mainstays for the state government of New York. Selecting Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli to comptroller would have hardly batted an eye in the past. However, it seems that the times, they are a changing.

First Eliot 'Steamroller' Spitzer came out and attacked lawmakers for appointing the unqualified DiNapoli to the position to state comptroller last week. The harsh reaction from the Governor prompted the NY media to cover the criticism. Now it seems the public is taking noticing and letting their Assemblymen know how they feel.

From the New York Times:

ALBANY, Feb. 13 — “Are you getting a lot of love mail?” Assemblyman Albert A. Stirpe Jr., a Democrat from North Syracuse, asked a colleague this week as they both got into an elevator here in the Capitol complex.

“Phone calls,” his colleague said. “I’m getting phone calls.”

Mr. Stirpe, a freshman lawmaker, said wryly, “No one’s ever going to vote for me again.”

In the week since state lawmakers rebuffed Gov. Eliot Spitzer and picked a member of the Assembly, Thomas P. DiNapoli, as state comptroller, they have been feeling plenty of heat.

Well it is about time that people let their representatives know that this type of behavior is unacceptable. The reformation up in Albany by Spitzer will not be stopped by those in the legislature that want to keep business as usual. It is good to see citizens respond to their government and hold them accountable.

DiNapoli: Another Hevesi?

As the new controller for the state of New York, Tom DiNapoli has a lot to learn and in a short amount of time. The writing is on the wall about Tom and people have begun to take potshots.

This from the Daily News Op-Ed:

Intercepted mail: Dear Mr. Tom DiNapoli! Greeting please! As barrister to widow of late vice president of Nigeria, I have honour to seek confidential U.S. agent for take custody of $50 trillion in gold! Kindly provide bank account number so as to proceed with ...

Tom, this came to us while you were off attending the How To Be A Controller 101 class down at the Sheldon Silver Academy For Loyal Lads. We forward it with advice: This is the type of investment opportunity you should avoid as sole trustee of New York State's $145 billion pension fund.

Also, forget that gypsy lady who says she found $1,000 on the street. And please note that Beanie Babies and Pez dispensers are no longer blue-chips in the collectibles marketplace.

Damn! What will he do with the horde of Beanie Babies up in Albany? Seriously though, this guy has no experience and was picked despite that because of his buddies in the legislature. So what will he do with New York's $145 billion dollar pension plan? All I have to say is that hopefully he won't be another Hevesi, who is a convicted thief in case you didn't know.