Healthcare

As is the case throughout the United States, a disproportionate percentage of New York's population is approaching retirement age. As the average age increases, so too does the average cost of medical care. New York's Medicaid costs are already the highest in the nation (approaching half of all state spending!) and due to the State's unwillingness to police Medicaid billings for fraud, taxpayers lose billions of dollars each year to individuals who fleece the system.

According to the Manhattan Institute, New York is the worst state in the nation in terms of frivolous lawsuits. Estimates suggest we lose an additional $20 billion to abusive, warrantless lawsuits each year. Unforunately, many legislators' campaigns are supported largely by trial lawyers, a group which is strongly opposed to solving this enormous problem.

Comprehensive tort reform and a major crackdown on Medicaid fraud could save New York many billions of dollars a year, freeing up vast resources for worthwhile healthcare spending and other vital priorities. The level of apathy in the legislature required to turn a perennial blind eye to the significance of this waste and abuse is astonishing; it's clear we need new voices in Albany to represent the real priorities of New Yorkers.

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