Nassau County Exec Bruce Blakeman, FBI Director Kash Patel discuss cooperation over Medicaid fraud allegations, sources say

Nassau County Executive and FBI Director Discuss Potential Cooperation on Medicaid Fraud Allegations

NASSAU COUNTY, NY – Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman recently engaged in discussions with FBI Director Kash Patel, a former resident of Nassau, during an Islanders hockey game at UBS Arena in Elmont. While the game featured Alex Ovechkin’s notable achievement, sources indicate their conversation extended beyond sports.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the central topic of discussion between Blakeman and Patel was the possibility of collaboration between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nassau County Police Department. This potential partnership would focus on investigating allegations of Medicaid fraud related to New York State’s funding practices concerning Long Island’s sole safety-net hospital, Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC).

Nassau University Medical Center Claims Underfunding

Nassau University Medical Center asserts that New York State improperly deprived the institution of over $1 billion in Medicaid funds across nearly two decades.

Congressional Scrutiny of New York’s Medicaid Practices

The meeting between Blakeman and Patel occurred following a communication from Rep. Eric Burlison to both Patel and former Attorney General Pam Bondi the previous week. Rep. Burlison’s letter reportedly raised concerns about New York allegedly violating federal Medicaid law. The accusations specifically target the state’s adherence to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) program contracts with the federal government.

NHCC Alleges Retaliation Amidst Funding Dispute

Nassau Health Care Corporation (NHCC), the public entity responsible for managing NUMC, initiated legal action against New York State last year. NHCC contends that the state is now engaging in retaliatory measures against the hospital system.

NHCC Chairman Highlights “Broad and Deep” Corruption

Matthew Bruderman, chairman of NHCC, communicated to Rep. Burlison his assessment of the situation, stating, “This is corruption that is both broad and deep within our State’s government.”

Bruderman further elaborated, “This wasn’t a clerical oversight, a bookkeeping mistake or incompetence. What we’ve uncovered was nefarious, intentional and the State covered it up for years to starve this hospital and the people it serves of resources.”

Call to Action for NUMC

Concluding his statement on the matter, Bruderman asserted, “It’s time to save this great hospital.”