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COVID-19 Pandemic Drove Record Medicaid Enrollment in 2021

A record number of New Yorkers relied on Medicaid for health care in 2021, with monthly enrollment exceeding 7 million for the first time, according to a new report by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. While enrollment has grown by about 5% per year over the last 15 years, increasing from about one in seven New Yorkers in 1998 to one in three in 2021, state budget projections rely on expectations for significant enrollment declines that may not materialize.

State Contract and Payment Actions in October

In October, the Office of the State Comptroller approved 1,553 contracts for state agencies and public authorities valued at $1.6 billion and approved more than 2.5 million payments worth more than $11.2 billion. The office rejected 137 contracts and related transactions valued at $218.3 million and more than 3,700 payments valued at nearly $11 million, primarily for mistakes, insufficient support for charges, and improper payments. More information on these contracts and payments is available at Open Book New York.

Hero Banner - Chanukah

“As we celebrate this Festival of Lights, we extend our best wishes for a peaceful and joyous Chanukah to all of our Jewish friends.”

Hero Banner - Thanksgiving

“We wish you and your loved ones good health and safety as you gather to enjoy the people and parts of life for which we are most thankful. Happy Thanksgiving!”

Small Businesses and the Economic Recovery: Work in Progress

Businesses in New York were more severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020 than in the rest of the nation, and the negative impacts on small businesses with less than 500 employees persist. In addition, small businesses report facing new challenges with hiring difficulties and with supply chains. Nevertheless, one in five small businesses reported a return to normal operations in October 2021, there have been significant improvements in several sectors, and applications for new businesses are surging, which bodes well for the economic recovery.

DiNapoli Finds Over $100 Million in Inappropriate Medicaid Payments

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today released three reports that found more than $100 million in improper payments made by the Department of Health (DOH) for the Medicare buy-in program, maternity care, and drug and therapy claims. Nearly $400,000 in premiums may have been paid for deceased individuals.

DiNapoli: Probation Departments Failing to Get Restitution Payments to Victims

More than half of probationers were behind on their restitution payments and the money that was collected from them didn’t always go to crime victims, with some funds languishing for years, according to a review of more than 340 cases at 13 county probation departments released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.