FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2012
For Further Information Contact:
Rep. Robin Vos
(608) 266-9171
REP. VOS REACTS TO THE FIRST-EVER STATE AUDIT OF MEDICAID
“These findings are startling. We must address these issues in order sustain these important programs well into the future.”
MADISON...Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) says the Medicaid audit confirms that reform is imperative.
“From financial mismanagement to a spike of out-of-state residents moving here to get benefits, this audit should be a wake-up call,” said Rep. Vos, member of the Joint Audit Committee and Co-Chair of the Joint Finance Committee. “This is not a way to conduct a program that has a $7.5 billion price tag and impacts so many lives.”
The audit studied the past five years when Medicaid expenditures went from $5 billion to $7.5 billion and recipients sky-rocketed from 870,201 to 1.2 million. The major findings are startling.
85% of those who enrolled in MA within their first three months of moving to Wisconsin came from other states (6,083 from Illinois).
“Medicaid should take care of our state’s most vulnerable citizens. Wisconsin can not afford to be a magnet for out-of-state residents seeking benefits.”
The number of investigations into potential fraud decreased significantly due to the reduction in funding from the former administration.
Neither the state’s nor Department of Health Service’s accounting systems contain expenditures by subprograms.
“In a sense, these programs were being operated in a vacuum, without the knowledge of costs or with consideration of available spending authority,” said Rep. Vos. “We must address these issues in order to sustain these important services well into the future.”
Data systems and budgetary practices limit the availability of basic information needed to effectively manage and oversee the program.
“I’m encouraged the current administration is beginning to implement the necessary reforms. I have every confidence that under the leadership of DHS Secretary Dennis Smith, we’ll see improvements in the near future. The department has a new level of transparency and willingness to work with everyone. After this audit, it’s evident that the former administration may have needed to resort to improper practices due to the mishandlings of the program.” said Vos.