New York Comptroller: Sex Offenders Have Been Getting Viagra Paid by Medicaid

Tampa Bay Online and AP News ^ | May 22, 2005 | Michael Virtanen

[TheOtherOne]

New York Comptroller: Sex Offenders Have Been Getting Viagra Paid by Medicaid

By Michael Virtanen Associated Press Writer
Published: May 22, 2005 ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - 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.

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On the Net:

New York Comptroller's Office: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://www.hhs.gov/

AP-ES-05-22-05 2156EDT

[Calpernia]

Just a reminder of that story I told you.

The Rahway Corrections Officer said our tax dollars pay for SHEMs bras and hormonal injections.

[blackbart.223]

"It's a shame these pervs weren't court ordered to receive provera instead. (aka chemical castration).

A dull rusty knife would be a better choice.

[Tabi Katz]

Too bad it wasn't a more vital part of his presidency -- might have spared him (and us!) Monica, the blue dress, "I did not sleep with that woman," "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is" and impeachement.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!

Good to see you and your naughty posts are back ;)

[Tabi Katz]

AMAZING! Her Heinous and Schmuck Schumer BOTH got something right?!!

[lowbridge]

bump

[The Mayor]

I just heard this on the news too....

[txrangerette]

This is Medicaid not Medicare they are referencing here. Medicaid is for "the poor" while Medicare is for the elderly. The sex offenders are getting Viagra under aid to "the poor". Whether one likes government programs or not, this is wholly different from Grandma and Grandpa getting help with the cost of prescription drugs for a host of legitimate ailments.

[MortMan]

And it's the public that gets screwed, again.

[soundandvision]

What's not wrong with this? Re-distributing wealth for the whims of others? Sex offenders getting the re-distributing wealth for the whims of others? We've been asking for this crap for 40+ years.. state sponsered healthcare..demands for entitlements and eventually it's the sickos demanding it.

Is anyone shocked? What I love is that it takes this for people to be outraged that a perv is using tax dollars to get his jolly's. I'm personally just so mad that my head is going to explode when I hear that ANYBODY is getting tax dollars for their WANTS...not necessarily their NEEDS but their WANTS. When it's a perv, it just kinda adds to the disgust that's been festering.