Shocking Video Reveals Vulnerability to Fraud within Maine’s Welfare System

[chanel]

DHHS Worker: “If you don’t have proof of income, then you have no income”

An outside investigation into Maine’s Medicaid system reveals a shocking potential for fraud within Maine’s vast welfare bureaucracy, and it’s all on video. Yet policy reforms to increase accountability and safeguard measures will help protect Maine’s welfare system from fraud, if officials act soon.

MHPC has specifically suggested the creation of a divergence program that helps potential applicants find work or job training while making welfare benefits a last resort, establishing a Secret Shopper-type program to monitor the performance and practices of DHHS employees, and lifetime bans from receiving benefits and working in state government for applicants and employees, respectively, who are found to have knowingly engaged in fraudulent or illegal behavior.

http://www.mainepolicy.org/2011/08/...ility-to-fraud-within-maine’s-welfare-system/



People are waking up.

Any chance it will happen?

 

[daveman]

No. There will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth from the left.

 

[midcan5]

Interesting but consider Enron, Worldcom, Madoff, outsourcing, etc etc etc and one wonders about this deeply felt anguish over cheating? Is cheating only cheating when labeled with that big bad word "welfare?" Or is that word simply another version of Pavlov's bell for the wingnuts on the right who are too brain dead to see the whole world, or even just a small part of it.

The Conservative Nanny State

"Economist Dean Baker debunks the myth that conservatives favor the market over government intervention. In fact, conservatives rely on a range of “nanny state” policies that ensure the rich get richer while leaving most Americans worse off. It’s time for the rules to change. Sound economic policy should harness the market in ways that produce desirable social outcomes – decent wages, good jobs and affordable health care."

 

[chanel]

That's what I suspect. "What about the children?" they will cry.

I wonder how soon this kid who posed as a drug dealer will have his reputation and life threatened for exposing the truth. Killing the messenger must be in Alinsky's book somewhere.

 

[Ravi]

Gov. Paul LePage says the video doesn't show someone trying to defraud the system, but it points to a need for better staff training.

Some say staged video hints at Maine welfare fraud

 

[Truthmatters]

Is breitbart involved?

 

[Greenbeard]

Would be a bit more informative if they described what the assets test rules are for the relevant program.

 

[editec]

Of course it is in everybody's interests to end welfare fraud.

Tell me, how much Welfare fraud was uncovered here in Maine?

Any?

 

[Greenbeard]

Tell me, how much Welfare fraud was uncovered here in Maine?

Any?

In fairness, it's billed as a shocking video that shows "potential for fraud." Not actual fraud.

 

[Ravi]

I for one am shocked to find out that there is a potential for fraud.

 

[chanel]

Good question editec and that's what this organization is investigating. There is NO INCENTIVE for the DHHS to do that. More applicants; more jobs.

The explosive details in the video demonstrate the vulnerability of the welfare system to fraud and abuse, which may contribute to the growth in enrollment and cost for Maine’s welfare programs. Today, almost one in three Mainers is on some form of welfare, and the state spent more than $2.5 billion on its welfare system in 2008 alone.

 

[Lonestar_logic]

Interesting but consider Enron, Worldcom, Madoff, outsourcing, etc etc etc and one wonders about this deeply felt anguish over cheating? Is cheating only cheating when labeled with that big bad word "welfare?" Or is that word simply another version of Pavlov's bell for the wingnuts on the right who are too brain dead to see the whole world, or even just a small part of it.

The Conservative Nanny State

"Economist Dean Baker debunks the myth that conservatives favor the market over government intervention. In fact, conservatives rely on a range of “nanny state” policies that ensure the rich get richer while leaving most Americans worse off. It’s time for the rules to change. Sound economic policy should harness the market in ways that produce desirable social outcomes – decent wages, good jobs and affordable health care."

Pointing at bad behavior to justify bad behavior. Why are you liberals so fucking stupid?