Raga Justin

Albany

Investigative Reporter at Times Union (Albany)

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Articles

Lawsuits shed light on internal turmoil at National Rifle Association

2 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — A prominent New York gun rights advocate is being sued for defamation by Oliver L. North, the one-time president of the National Rifle Association, in a court battle that has shed new light on the internal turmoil within the beleaguered organization’s upper ranks.
1.2 million New Yorkers could lose health coverage under federal cuts

3 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — An estimated 1.2 million residents could see their health coverage slashed and New York’s economy could take an $11 billion hit if a federal spending measure wending through Congress advances, according to projections released this week by New York health officials. The Greater New York Hospital Association — one of the largest and most influential special interest groups in New York — released a memo Friday citing numbers provided by the administration of Gov.
NY's 'Medical Aid in Dying' bill does not specify which lethal drugs

3 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — New York lawmakers wrangled last month over legalizing physician-assisted deaths, spending hours in an emotionally wrought debate that swung from anger to tearful passion. The controversial legislation dubbed “Medical Aid in Dying” would enable New York residents suffering from a terminal illness to end their own lives using a series of medications administered under a physician’s care after thorough review of their situation.
Patient access groups want NY to scrutinize discount drug program

3 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — Some lawmakers in New York are calling for increased transparency and oversight over a controversial federal drug discount program that benefits many of the state’s larger hospitals, as a nationwide debate over prescription drug pricing intensifies.
At State Comptroller's office, a backlog of state retirements grows

3 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — As one of New York’s top watchdogs, the comptroller’s office keeps a vigilant eye on the state’s financial ecosystem. It performs numerous audits of state government spending, chiding other agencies for wasting taxpayers money or maintaining shoddy records. The office is considered the state’s primary fiscal custodian, an auditor of New York’s vast network of government contracts.
NY Democrats pass slew of beneficial campaign, election policies

4 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — A series of measures that appear to benefit incumbent politicians in New York were tucked into the state budget being approved this week by lawmakers. Democrats are set to the budget bills that will serve as the state's fiscal and political roadmap for the next year. Nestled amid the dense text are numerous policies that will likely be helpful for elected officials heading into next year's campaign season.
After low-cost air carrier Avelo Airlines agreed to work with a federal immigrat

1 month ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — Some New York Democrats want to hamstring the ability of commercial airlines to work with Immigrations and Custom Enforcement as the administration of President Donald J. Trump has ramped up efforts to deport criminal migrants and those who entered or re-entered the U.S. without authorization.
Albany to receive $400M infusion as NY lawmakers finalize budget

1 month ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — The city of Albany is poised to receive nearly half a billion dollars in state funding for a massive downtown revitalization plan, a move that state officials said could significantly reshape a community long plagued by suburban flight, inner-city violence and flagging economic development. Gov.
Legal Aid Society sues CDPAP program over "dizzying" technical issues

1 month ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — The Legal Aid Society is suing the company that has taken over administration of New York’s massive home care program, alleging in a federal lawsuit filed Monday that tens of thousands of workers have faced a “dizzying array” of technical problems that have resulted in widespread wage violations.
CDPAP glitches continue with pay errors, lapsed health insurance

1 month ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — Problems continue to plague the administrative transition of a multibillion-dollar Medicaid program to a vendor hand-picked by New York officials, including some home care aides who say they have been left without health insurance indefinitely. The popular Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program serves over 250,000 people with long-term medical needs, and employs over 200,000 more people who get paid through the complex health coverage program.