Assemblyman Tom O’Mara (R,C-Horseheads), the sole Assembly minority representative on the Medicaid Inspector General Joint Conference Committee, today said the panel of state Senate and Assembly members from both parties has reached an agreement on how to more effectively combat Medicaid waste, fraud and abuse.

“The committee showed needed bipartisanship,” said O’Mara. “Both sides worked hard to give New York a Medicaid inspector general that would be well-equipped to battle New York’s out-of-control Medicaid waste, fraud and abuse. Simply stated, it is a victory for New York taxpayers.”

To reach a compromise in creation of the Office of Medicaid Inspector General, O’Mara noted, the Assembly majority withdrew a provision in their version of the bill that would have allowed individuals to bring private lawsuits against suspects who commit Medicaid waste, fraud and abuse. Many health care industry professionals argued this provision could actually drive up health care costs because of an expected increase in lawsuits.

“Elimination of that provision will save taxpayers as much as 30 percent of recovered fraud funds that could have gone to a claimant rather than back to the taxpayers,” remarked O’Mara. “We need an inspector general with the proper tools to fight Medicaid fraud, not a bounty hunter system that is vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits.”

O’Mara added, “The savings we receive from effectively policing Medicaid will go toward reducing the overwhelming costs of New York states Medicaid program and help to stem the tide of rising property taxes.”

Assemblyman O’Mara estimated next year’s savings from the new fight against Medicaid waste, fraud and abuse could be about $325 million.

The negotiated bill is expected to be passed by the Assembly and state Senate before session ends this week. Once passed by the legislature the bill would go on to the governor for his review and decision whether to sign it into law.