A representative from the Bronx, Ritchie Torres, has voiced concerns about the practices in Albany while calling for an investigation into Governor Kathy Hochul’s substantial home-care program, which costs $9 billion. Torres claims that the recent changes made to the program raise serious questions regarding transparency and governance.
Torres focused his criticism specifically on a decision made by Hochul to alter how the program operates, yet he refrained from addressing the influential state healthcare union that supported this change. He urged state and federal officials to look into Hochul’s Department of Health over allegations it improperly directed a lucrative contract related to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) to a specific company.
Previously, CDPAP relied on numerous private businesses and nonprofits that acted as middlemen, managing payroll between Medicaid and caregivers with little supervision. However, Hochul’s recent change aims to streamline this process by appointing a single company chosen by the Department of Health, which she argues will help combat potential fraud and waste.
There are accusations that Hochul’s administration manipulated the bidding process to favor Public Partnerships LLC, the company that was awarded the contract. Some of the competitors for this contract have raised concerns about the fairness of the process.
Additionally, a powerful healthcare union, 1199SEIU, is reported to have played a role behind the scenes, ensuring that the chosen contractor would agree to unionize the nearly 250,000 personal-care aides involved and advocate for higher wages for them.
In response to reporters, Torres stated, “I’m not here to go along to get along. I’m here to tell hard truths.” He expressed that Hochul is effectively establishing a state-sponsored monopoly over the CDPAP. He warned that monopolies typically result in increased costs rather than savings, a fundamental issue that he believes has been overlooked.
Despite his strong stance against the administration, Torres was more cautious about directly criticizing the 1199SEIU’s involvement in the situation. He emphasized the need to investigate the entire handling of the $9 billion contract, rather than singling out any one group.
A representative from 1199SEIU has not publicly responded to these accusations. Notably, the union has previously shown support for Hochul’s adjustments to the program.
As various middleman firms continue to contest the awarding of the contract to PPL, they have engaged in numerous lawsuits to challenge the decision.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Hochul countered that Torres had not adequately informed himself about the situation. They asserted that the previous reliance on numerous middlemen had unnecessarily driven up costs for taxpayers, and they remain committed to ensuring a more efficient structure for the CDPAP by the planned transition in April 2025.
By pushing for accountability and transparency in significant state contracts, Torres aims to shed light on the complexities of state governance and advocate for the best interests of taxpayers and caregivers alike.
