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University of Wisconsin–Madison
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty

Day: August 19, 2009

Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program – Indiana

Hoosiers may find it harder to pay for heat, By Nicole Blake, August 19, 2009, Indianapolis Star: “Thousands of Hoosiers already struggling to make ends meet may find less money available to help them pay their winter heating bills. A pilot program offered by Citizens Gas and other utilities that helped more than 50,000 people last year is in jeopardy. The Universal Service Fund program, which expired in May, needs approval by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission before it can be restarted…”

Medicaid Fraud and Waste Audit – Utah

  • Auditors warn Utah Medicaid is likely wasting millions of taxpayer dollars, By Heather May, August 18, 2009, Salt Lake Tribune: ” Millions of tax dollars are likely being wasted in Utah’s Medicaid program on procedures — including a breast augmentation and nose jobs — that aren’t covered by the government insurance program, according to a scathing legislative audit released Tuesday. Millions more are lost because the Medicaid department isn’t adequately going after providers who submit fraudulent bills. And while there are three sets of internal auditors charged with overseeing the department and its $1.7 billion budget, none are independent enough to do their jobs appropriately, the report says…”
  • Audit says Utah losing millions to Medicaid fraud, waste, By Lana Groves, August 18, 2009, Deseret News: “Legislators are appalled over the results of an audit reporting the state Medicaid system is losing millions because of an outdated system. The state audit released Tuesday found that the Utah Department of Health’s Bureau of Program Integrity, which checks for fraud, waste and abuse within the state Medicaid program, is mismanaged and failed on several occasions to follow policy regarding cost-saving methods…”

SeniorCare Prescription Drug Program – Wisconsin

Government extends SeniorCare through 2012, By Stacy Forster, August 18, 2009, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “The federal government will extend SeniorCare, the state’s popular prescription drug program, through 2012, Gov. Jim Doyle said Tuesday. SeniorCare is an alternative to the federal Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage plan for low-income residents aged 65 and older, and it is the only program of its kind in the country. The state program was to end Dec. 31. Doyle and Wisconsin’s congressional delegation had asked President Barack Obama’s administration to extend the program for three years…”