Letter: Medicaid officials must be vigilant

I commend the Nassau County Department of Social Services for uncovering almost $200,000 in theft by individuals allegedly engaging in welfare fraud ["Medicaid fraud uncovered," News, Oct. 15]. I only wish that Suffolk County, New York State and the federal government would be as diligent. At a time when all safety-net programs are under withering attack from the right, government agencies should be relentless in cracking down on fraud and abuse.

Your article mentions that one of the individuals is accused of receiving $29,000 in Medicaid benefits by working off the books. I can't help but wonder if the IRS is going to go after this person for tax evasion. He also was obviously not making Social Security contributions on his unreported income. Many off-the-books businesses involve services for which the provider is supposed to be collecting New York State sales tax, but they're not doing so.

Every honest citizen is supporting these thieves, and many of these necessary social programs are in danger of being decimated.

Bill Hempfling, East Moriches