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Posted on 05/23/2005 5:19:55 AM PDT by Brilliant
ALBANY, N.Y. - Scores of convicted rapists and other high-risk sex offenders in New York have been getting Viagra paid by Medicaid for the last five years, the state's comptroller said Sunday.
Audits by Comptroller Alan Hevesi's office showed that between January 2000 and March 2005, 198 sex offenders in New York received Medicaid-reimbursed Viagra after their convictions. Those included crimes against children as young as 2 years old, he said.
Hevesi asked Michael Leavitt, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in a letter Sunday to "take immediate action to ensure that sex offenders do not receive erectile dysfunction medication paid for by taxpayers."
A call to Leavitt's office was not immediately returned Sunday.
According to Hevesi, the problem is an unintended consequence of a 1998 directive from federal officials telling states that Medicaid prescription programs must include Viagra. His office discovered that the state was helping sex offenders pay for Viagra by checking Medicaid pharmacy expenditures against the state's sex offender registry.
New York's two senators said Sunday the problem should be corrected.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said in a statement that it was "deeply disturbing and runs contrary to the purpose of Medicaid, which is to provide health care coverage for uninsured, low-income individuals." Clinton, a Democrat, urged Leavitt to look into the matter, and said she would explore legislative options.
New York's other senator, Democrat Chuck Schumer, said at a press conference in New York City that he hoped the issue could be resolved without a bill, but he's prepared to offer one if needed.
"While I believe that HHS did not do this intentionally, when the government pays for Viagra for sex offenders, it could well hurt many innocent people," he said.
New York auditors are reviewing whether other prescription drugs for sexual dysfunction are being reimbursed by Medicaid for convicted sex offenders, Hevesi spokesman David Neustadt said.
While the auditors didn't review the situation on Viagra reimbursement by Medicaid in other states, he said they have no indication that the policies are different elsewhere.
Hell in a handbasket.
According to Hevesi, the problem is an unintended consequence of a 1998 directive from federal officials telling states that Medicaid prescription programs must include Viagra. His office discovered that the state was helping sex offenders pay for Viagra by checking Medicaid pharmacy expenditures against the state's sex offender registry.
The years of the Clinton administration really gave the criminals anything they wanted.Even pardons..Hillary Clinton is a liar and fool if she thinks we believe a word she has to say...
THe criminals could be getting prescriptions and then turning around and selling them, however.
Stand By Your Rapist is deeply disturbed.
Cult of Clintonism greatest accomplishment. New Yorkers are well represented by the sex cult leadership. Got to wonder if the old bj leads by example????
If it's not bad enough that taxpayers foot the bill for anyone's Viagra, ...
And we wonder why our taxes are out of control.
What a twisted world.
Medicaid apparently doesn't understand the meaning of "hard time".
]:-[
Ping to me for later pingout.
LOL!...fear and loathing in Shrillary's NY Mansion, What is Bubba and Willard (poor guys, BUTCH (Srillary is running for pres. :) to do?
"Neighbors, Beware! Bubba (and Willard) are off their meds. Lockup your daughters/Wives!"..rem: It takes a Village.
OMG! I was going to post the exact same statement..lol.
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
Moral Absolutes Ping.
This is so wrong in so many ways.
No one should get Viagra at tax payer expense, what to speak of those guilty of sex crimes. It really makes you wonder what kind of sick fools work for the government.
Let me know if you want on/off this pinglist.
Child molesters should be executed and so should regular old rapists. Then they wouldn't need any medications whatsoever.
Ditto! How totally frustrating is this? Performance enhancing drugs should fall into the "optional" category just like cosmetic surgery and lasic. What will we pay for next-Botox treatments? Oh, excuse me, I forgot, if you get it from Medicaid, it is "FREE"!
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