The Peru Gazette

Albany, March 18, 2026 –  Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today spoke at a press conference in Albany to unveil his legislation to combat Medicaid fraud.

            If enacted, Senate bill S.9219 would provide needed accountability and oversight to the state’s Medicaid system. The legislation strengthens Medicaid payment accountability by requiring routine eligibility verification, mandating audits in high-risk areas, establishing structured payment safeguards with notice and response periods, and authorizing limited verification tools to confirm service delivery, while preserving eligibility standards and due process protections.

            Recent reports have highlighted significant fraud in the state’s $120 billion Medicaid system. A state Comptroller report examining the years 2017-2024 unearthed a potential $2.6 billion in improper payments to people no longer living in New York State, while the non-partisan Empire Center tracks the total of annual fraud and improper payments to deceased or non-residents at $20 billion annually due to ineligible recipients. Stec sees his legislation as crucial to ensuring Medicaid funds are delivered to people who need and are legally eligible to receive them.

            “New York State is hemorrhaging billions of dollars each year in fraudulent and improper Medicaid claims. This is absolutely unacceptable. My legislation would require routine eligibility verification and audits, ensuring the accountability and oversight sorely lacking – and urgently needed – for our Medicaid system,” said Stec.

            Video of Senator Stec highlighting his Medicaid fraud legislation can be found here: https://youtu.be/2VI5mXiXzQk