NORWICH – Methods for reforming New York State’s $53 billion Medicaid program, the most expensive in the country, are currently being discussed within the state’s legislature and, locally, at the Chenango County Department of Social Services.

Governor Cuomo gave Medicaid reform prominence in his “State of the State” message, and went further to issue an executive order for a Medicaid Redesign Team tasked with finding ways to save money within the program.

State Senator James L. Seward, R-Oneonta, said some proposals discussed recently in the Senate Health Committee were focused on more efficient delivery of services, including opportunities for savings, reduction of current costs, medical malpractice reform and qualifications for Medicaid eligibility.

In addition, the Senator agreed with a call for additional mechanisms to help prevent Medicaid fraud.

“Providing county governments with the tools they need to aggressively combat abuse and block fraud before it occurs will save localities money up front and ensure deserving individuals and families receive the appropriate care,” he said.

The Chenango County Department of Social Services fraud unit is busy taking phone calls daily, and mostly anonymously, from people reporting abuse of Medicaid, food stamps and other assistance programs. One popular abuse of food stamps is when a recipient grocery shops for a friend or neighbor and then receives cash after using their food stamps to pay.