Op-ed: End waste, fraud, and abuse in N.Y.’s Medicaid

A well-funded advertising campaign has charged Gov. Hochul with depriving needy New Yorkers of home care services. In truth, the campaign is an attempt to derail the governor’s efforts to end fraud and abuse in the state’s Medicaid program.

The target of reform is the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). It provides Medicaid dollars to fund in-home personal care for chronically ill or physically disabled individuals. It is different from other Medicaid-funded home care because it allows recipients the flexibility to choose their caregivers, including family members or close friends.

A change in how the program is managed, led by the governor and approved by the state Legislature this year, is designed to trim administrative costs and reduce opportunities for fraud. The reform has absolutely no impact on the quality of care or the benefits to eligible home care recipients — and does not change eligibility for CDPAP care in New York. In fact, it will promote consistency and enhance services statewide, such as through a matching registry that will assist consumers in finding caregivers.