Illinois Child Welfare Fraud, Blagojevich Style

I truly enjoy news stories that showcase child welfare fraud, but I have to step in and question why former Governor Blogojevich's activities seem to be so shocking?

Everyday, across this nation, some elected or appointed official is putting their hand in the proverbial child welfare cookie jar and then, turning around using taxpayer money to fund legal defenses.

I would not even be surprised to see Illinois child placing agencies getting lucrative foster care for expediting more termination of parental rights cases and keeping children in care longer as it brings in more federal dollars for the state.

I would not even bat an eyelid at the probability that universities are getting grants because...

Illinois has led the nation in the implementation of performance-based contracting and quality assurance (PBC/QA) initiatives for foster care case management. This initiative extends PBC/QA to residential, independent living and transitional living programs (ILO/TLP) currently serving approximately 2,500 children and youth in the child welfare system, many of whom have increasingly severe and complex service needs

Unfortunately, Blagojevich was only doing what many others do in child welfare.

Blagojevich's records reveal information that could mean more trouble

Kyle Kiel Staff Writer

ILLINOIS - A new report could land former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich in even more hot water than he is in now.

An audit of Blagojevich's records, while he was still governing, reveals he spent millions of dollars to hire outside lawyers, often without even seeking bids for the best price.

Records also show he charged legal costs to other state agencies, including the Department of Children and Family Services.

Out of the 7.2 million dollars in legal costs, the governor's office only paid 22 thousand of the overall cost.

Official Endorsement From Former Wayne County Auditor General

To my greatest honor, I have been formally endorsed by a man I consider as my inspiration for public office and a personal hero. Former Auditor General of Wayne County for 13 years, Brendan Dunleavy, has delivered his support of my candidacy with the greatest of enthusiasm.

With sincerity and serenity, I thank you, sir.

Privatization Can Be Fiscally Responsible

The Detroit News

This was published 10/31/07 06:09 PM

The Governor should embrace with joy the championing of privatization of foster care and adoption services by Senator Hardiman. This is what we all have been awaiting.
Privatizing foster care and adoption services releases the constraints of enforcement within the executive branch. The Attorney General is now able to flick the switch of the oversight machine and provide accountability for the state and its families. This is what is to happen:

The responsibility of contract monitoring and compliance is transferred from DHS back into the hands of the Attorney General. For example, families whose children have been removed where privatized agencies do not believe in family reunification, can now file complaints with the Attorney General regarding protection of consumer rights. The Bureau of Children and Family Services Fraud Division may now protect, not just vulnerable adults, but vulnerable children and families.

When the Attorney General conducts investigations and finds material violations of law and policy by the privatized child placing agencies, he is now allowed to follow through with full prosecution of the agencies and their workers.

In turn, families are provided proactive services, there are no longer phantom programs funded by DHS, tens of millions of dollars in improper payments of improper, unneccessary services and placements of children in foster care are ameliorated.
The number of children entering foster care are reduced because privatized child placing agencies must promote and advocate for placement of children within the family which is more cost effective than having a child prescribed psychiatric medication to "calm" from the trauma of being ripped from his/her home and placed in a strangers home, further reducing medicaid waste and fraud.

Privatized child placing agencies, under the theory of punishment by deterrence, will produce accurate and transparent audit reports, simply from the fear of prosecution.
Practices of targeting minority and impoverished children, due to the fact that child abuse and neglect is an entitlement program, will cease in the face of civil rights penalties.

Michigan will become a model state for accountability and transparency by reducing dependency of federal funding streams in Social Security. The money saved by privatized child placing agencies can be invested in education, thus, replacing the state's number one industry (Human Services) with higher education.
Michigan is no longer liable for litigation. The Executive Office is no longer a demagogue to privatized child placing agencies who also lobby (many without proper IRS status), but becomes the fiscal savior of our families.

Everyone wins...except the privatized child placing agencies that violate federal and state laws and policies, under color of state law.

Beverly Tran

Where Are The Children?

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Cox considers Medicaid fraud unit

Associated Press

The Detroit News

Lansing -- Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox wants the state to create an independent office to investigate Medicaid fraud.

Cox on Wednesday backed bills being drafted by Republican lawmakers in the Michigan Legislature. The bills would create an office with powers to oversee and audit Medicaid systems and records separate from the state's Department of Community Health.

Cox says that would lead to better enforcement and discovery of fraud, potentially saving the state more than $100 million a year. He says six other states have similar offices.

Cox is one of the candidates seeking to become the Republican nominee for governor in 2010.

What makes this item so interesting is that I thought the Attorney General was already receiving federal funding for this...


About The Health Care Fraud Division

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit

Medicaid, or the Medical Assistance Program, was established by Congress in 1965. The Medicaid Program is administered at the State level by the Medical Services Administration in the Department of Community Health. The Michigan Medicaid program, over $4.5 billion, is 50% funded by the Federal government and 50% funded by the State of Michigan. Medicaid helps eligible individuals and families who need assistance paying medical bills.

In 1977, the United States Congress recognized that fraud was occurring in the Medicaid program and that special investigative/prosecution units were required. As a result, legislation was passed providing for the establishment of state Medicaid Fraud Control units. In 1978, the Office of Attorney General created a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and it was certified by the Federal government the same year. In 1986, it became the Health Care Fraud Division of the Attorney General's office.

The division is comprised of attorneys, investigators, auditors, other professionals and support staff. Pursuant to Federal certification, it has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud and abuse and neglect in facilities receiving Medicaid dollars. The division also has jurisdiction to seek civil recovery of fraudulently obtained Medicaid dollars.

Health Care Fraud

The Health Care Fraud Division exists to identify, prosecute, and prevent fraudulent activity by doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and other health care providers participating in the Medicaid program. Allegations of misappropriation of patient trust funds and identity theft in resident care facilities are also investigated. Taxpayer dollars provide health care to indigent patients and other recipients. It is vital that these dollars be effectively spent to help those in need. Fraud affects everyone--the recipients of care, the taxpayers who pay for it, and the overwhelming majority of providers who conscientiously provide quality care.

Since its inception, the HCFD has obtained criminal restitution orders totaling $7,401,187.70; civil judgments totaling $11,082,643.53; and settlement agreements providing for the recovery of $3,137,154.65 to the Medicaid Program. In total, the HCFD has obtained court orders and settlements requiring the return of $21,620,985.88 to the Medicaid Program. Additionally, the HCFD has collected $1,131,397.15 from Medicaid providers to offset the HCFD's investigation and prosecution costs.

Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect

The worth of a society is often measured by the care and protection afforded to its weak and dependent members. No one should live in fear of being harmed, especially by persons legally charged with and paid for attending to his or her needs. The Health Care Fraud Division investigates and prosecutes Medicaid-funded health care facilities and their employees who harm or neglect their patients or residents.

Not every instance of patient injury is the result of a crime. Inappropriate non-criminal treatment to a patient or resident of a health care facility should be reported to the facility through the administrator, director of nursing, or the charge nurse, AND to the Department of Community Health, which has a statutory obligation to monitor and assess the care rendered to patients.

Now, what's wrong with this picture?

HINT: There are no children.