In Albany, state lawmakers say Gov. Kathy Hochul is retaliating against them for pushing a probe into a possible $11 billion Medicaid home‑care contract scam.
Senators Jim Skoufis (D‑Orange County) and Gustavo Rivera (D‑Bronx) plan to send Hochul a letter on Tuesday demanding all evidence that the state rigged the bid for the Consumer‑Directed Personal Assistance Program, or CDPAP.
The bill‑drafting duo has been clearing new rules and, while they were setting up their investigation, Hochul vetoed a number of Skoufis’ bills—including a measure that would have let pharmacies get paid for guiding patients through abortion procedures.
Skoufis, who has been vocal in last year’s budget fights, claims these vetoes are a “payback” for his probe.
Last month, a Senate hearing featuring the Department of Health (DOH) and Public Partnerships, LLC—PPL, the firm chosen to manage CDPAP—revealed more evidence that Hochul’s team wanted to steer oversight toward PPL. Skoufis and Rivera co‑hosted the session and showed the public that the DOH had not fully answered questions about the transition.
Now the senators are demanding seven key data packages:
- All communications between the DOH and PPL.
- Fraud reports and any claims of misconduct.
- Details about workers and enrollees in the program.
- Financial records of the transition process.
They want this information voluntarily but will sue if they don’t comply because the committee still carries subpoena power.
PPL has already admitted that one of its representatives lied under oath when she said the firm hadn’t talked to Hochul’s office before bidding on the contract. Meanwhile, DOH Commissioner Jim McDonald insists the contract award was legal.
The investigation is moving forward as lawmakers seek a full picture of how the program is run, whether it truly saves money, and whether any wrongdoing took place.
Source: New York Post
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