Briefs

Changes the Health Department implemented under Spitzer's administration were largely responsible for a reported $1 billion savings this year in the health care program for the poor. That's about 1 percent of the total state funds budget. Both better administration and enforcement are cited in a program that some estimate loses billions to fraud and waste yearly.

A Health Department anti-fraud initiative, which used data mining to save $132 million, contributed to the $1 billion savings. The agencies responsible for Medicaid have also been reorganized and integrated to better monitor waste.

Cuomo's office has widely publicized investigations into home health aides with bogus certifications.

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