Rockland Post

As Rockland County voters approach another election season, candidates should focus on issues that directly affect residents—especially the integrity of local health-care and social-service programs. While national headlines often dominate, the real concern is how taxpayer dollars are being used in our county.

Recent events show that large government programs in Democrat-led states are vulnerable to abuse:

Minnesota faced massive COVID-era food-aid fraud, with hundreds of millions in stolen funds.

Illinois reported billions lost to pandemic unemployment fraud through fake claims and identity theft.

California saw tens of billions lost to fraudulent unemployment and Medicaid claims.

Oregon uncovered inflated Medicaid billing and misuse of public health funds.

Washington State experienced multiple schemes, including $6.8 million in pandemic rental relief fraud, $19 million in Medicaid overcharges by managed-care companies, and other embezzlement and public-assistance fraud totaling hundreds of thousands.

Rockland County is not immune. Local investigations and prosecutions reveal multiple cases of fraud that directly affected county residents:

Pharmacist Andrew Barrett pleaded guilty to $2.7 million in Medicaid and Medicare fraud, involving medications never dispensed and false tax filings.

Eric Karlewicz (aka “Anthony Mazza”), a Rockland resident, pleaded guilty in a $127 million Medicare and durable medical equipment fraud scheme spanning multiple states, involving illegal kickbacks.

A New City doctor was indicted in 2025 for submitting false payroll records to collect state wages while working elsewhere.

Two local pharmacists were arrested for allegedly stealing over $500,000 from the state Medicaid program.

State audits revealed millions in improper Medicaid payments, some directly impacting Rockland residents.

These cases show a pattern: large public programs, if not carefully monitored, can be exploited, costing taxpayers significant resources. Viral social-media coverage, such as videos of empty “learning centers” or unused telemedicine offices, may attract attention—but confirmed fraud relies on financial audits, billing records, and investigative work. Rockland’s programs face the same vulnerabilities as larger states.

Another pressing issue is the cost of providing healthcare to illegal immigrants using taxpayer dollars. While basic care is important, these programs can divert funds away from services intended for American citizens who contribute to the system. Fiscal responsibility requires prioritizing residents while maintaining integrity and efficiency in local programs.

Election season is not the time for name-calling or political theatrics. Voters deserve candidates who present concrete plans:

Strengthen oversight of county health-care and social-service programs

Ensure Medicaid and public assistance funds are properly used

Audit programs proactively to prevent fraud

Protect taxpayer dollars while maintaining essential services for residents

Residents in Rockland, like those in Minnesota, Illinois, California, Oregon, and Washington, are entitled to transparent, accountable, and effective government programs. Leadership should be measured by responsible stewardship of resources, not partisan attacks.

This election, the focus should be local: protecting taxpayer dollars, ensuring services reach those who rely on them, and strengthening the integrity of Rockland’s health-care and social-service systems. That is the conversation voters should insist on having.