Raga Justin

Albany

Investigative Reporter at Times Union (Albany)

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Articles

Patient access groups want NY to scrutinize discount drug program

2 days 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

4 days 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

6 days 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 week 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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.
New York said it joined a coalition of 11 other states in suing Donald J. Trump

3 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — New York is one of a dozen states suing to block the tariffs announced by the Trump administration in recent weeks, the state’s top Democrats said Wednesday, charging that the levies amount to an illegal “tax hike” on Americans. Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Attorney General Letitia James alleged in a statement that the new federal administration headed by Republican President Donald J.
NY's top health officials said opioid success uncertain under Trump

3 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — Uncertainty surrounding the policy priorities of a new federal administration in Washington, D.C., could threaten New York’s goal of reaching a “zero overdose generation,” the state’s top health officials said Wednesday. During a wide-ranging conversation at the Times Union’s Hearst Media Center, state Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James V.
Democrats want New York to reward whistleblowers reporting fraud

3 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — Democratic lawmakers are seeking to create new incentives for whistleblowers who report fraudulent business practices to the state’s top financial regulators, a move they say would allow New York to aggressively combat white-collar crime if the federal government ceases to do so.