Auerbach urges lawmakers to hold off on paying inmate medical bills..
KINGSTON – Ulster County Comptroller Elliot Auerbach Monday urged the county legislature to postpone paying the medical bills of convicted killer and county jail inmate Anthony Passaro, Jr.
He is awaiting sentencing on the conviction that he shot and killed his wife.
The legislature is ready to approve paying the $187,978 in medical bills incurred while he remains in jail, but Auerbach asked lawmakers to hold off.
“There are too many unanswered questions about these medical expenses,” he said. “We need to review not only the appropriateness of each bill, but also the chain of custody and scope of responsibility for the incurred costs.”
Auerbach said the bill cannot be paid without verification and audit by his office, “so it is too soon to move such funds from the contingency fund.”
Lawmakers are scheduled to vote on the resolution at Tuesday evening’s meeting.
Copyright © 2009 Mid-Hudson News Network, a division of Statewide News Network, Inc
3 comments:
CMS which contracts with the county is responsible up to a certain dollar amount of medical services per inmate. Things become more costly when extended `hospitalization is required of an inmate which exceeds the covered amount of what CMS will cover.It might not be fair but that's the gist of the matter.
If Inmate Passaro was 'state ready' which he is not because he wasn't formally sentenced; then it might be possible to bill the state for the medical expenses incurred.
Review of the medical billing for verification purposes is sound policy but nevertheless, Ulster County is ultimately responsible for the inmate's medical care. It is what it is.
DRINKING AND DRIVING DON'T MIX. ZERO TOLERANCE. PERIOD.
Medical examiner fired after apparently showing up drunk at fatal accident
KINGSTON – Ulster County Executive Michael Hein Monday fired County Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Sheran after he apparently showed up to a fatal accident on Sunday drunk.
State Police charged him with aggravated DWI.
Hein won’t tolerate driving drunk. “As county executive I take the subject of driving while intoxicated extremely seriously,” he said. “This incident is completely unacceptable.”
An Ellenville man, who was walking on Route 209 in the Town of Wawarsing just before 7 p.m. Sunday, was struck and killed by a motorist, State Police said Monday.
Robert Ryan, 48, was walking on the paved portion of the roadway when struck by a southbound Dodge pickup truck driven by a 28-year-old Wurtsboro resident. No charges were filed against the driver.
Ryan was pronounced dead at the scene by Dr. Sheran.
A sound idea:
Offer to pay inmate's medical providers at the Blue Cross/ Blue Cross reimbursment schedule for services. This amount is far less than the full face value charged by the providers.
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