Budget savings

As the state legislature wrangles over the budget, due April 1, there is much talk about raising taxes and lowering spending. However, we also need to look at other avenues, such as saving money through the elimination of what, for lack of a better word, might be called fraud. For example, William Hammond of The Daily News writes in today's paper:

They talk tough about cracking down on waste and fraud in the Medicaid program, but lawmakers are closing their eyes to one of the worst scams in the state.

It's called "spousal refusal," and it has nothing to do with husbands and wives who suddenly develop headaches around bedtime. Instead, it's a gaping loophole that makes it possible for millionaires to mooch off a government health plan for the poor and disabled.

Read the rest of the story here.