DHS succeeding at fighting fraud

Your article, "Medicaid program left open to fraud" (Star-Advertiser, Jan. 18), reported — inaccurately — that the Department of Human Services issued improper payments totaling $66.9 million.

The 2011 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services report that you cited clearly stated this sum was a statistical projection; it also stated that given the small sample sizes, actual error rates could have been as low as 0 percent. In fact, the actual identified dollar amount in error was $45,650. Notably, Hawaii’s error rates were better than the national averages.

The article also reported that DHS/MQD recovered just $241,000 in Medicaid fraud overpayments in 2010 —but failed to mention that in the same year, working with the Attorney General’s Office, DHS recovered $82 million in settlements with drug manufacturers.

DHS is committed to being good stewards of public funds — and any fraud, waste or abuse is unacceptable. It is equally important, however, that the public has an accurate picture of the DHS and its successful efforts to recoup public funds.

Kayla Rosenfeld
Communications specialist, Department of Human Services

It’s fair to tax pension income

Despite the outcry, I believe the House speaker is correct in wanting to tax pension income.

All other sources of income are taxed. It is not fair to tax seniors whose income comes from interest and dividends, and give a free ride to those whose income comes primarily from an employer pension plan.

For example, would it be fair if a Fortune 500 CEO retired here and didn’t have to pay income tax on his or her million-plus-dollar per year pension? I am 65, retired, and I have pension income, and that income should not be exempt from tax.

If fair is fair, then it’s a no-brainer.

Richard Manetta
Wilhelmina Rise

Cost of living already too high

Only last month Gov. Neil Abercrombieannounced a state surplus of $844 million, and now House Speaker Joe Souki wants the Legislature to re-visit taxing our retiree pensions?

Hawaii is one of only two states that do not have taxes on pensions and it should remain that way for the following reasons: Of all of the 50 states, we have the highest cost of living. We pay the highest taxes, and the same goes for gasoline and consumer goods.

The AARP, other retiree groups andtheir generations of ohana will lobby against any legislation seeking to tax our pensions.

Elections are coming up. We may be old, but we are not short on memory.

Steven Burke
Hui Ana O Maka‘i Honolulu police retirees

Woman’s words spoke volumes

As a longtime Oahu resident, Waikiki lost its relevance a long time ago — not much there for me.

That said, Waikiki is "Hawaii for beginners." First-time visitors usually go there initially if, for nothing else, to say they were in Waikiki.

First impressions are so memorable. It would be disturbing to see and be solicited by people doing their best to look miserable and hungry as I duck into an eatery for a bite. I can get this at home! I am on vacation. I worked and dreamed of this for months. Isn’t anyone doing anything about this?

One statement by Louise Jane Brown probably caught many eyes: "We see rich people — really fat ones walk by with a pizza and they won’t even give us a piece."

This says so much.

Mike Hajiro
Mililani

Homelessness a safety issue

"Killing" is a strong word, but all of these killings among the homeless are senseless and serious.

Our society is allowing this. The police and city and state government officials are not enforcing our laws and not ensuring the public a safe place to live.

The homeless continue to plague our beaches, parks, places of business and our streets. The police drive by and do nothing.

Our parks officials allow illegal camping to continue day after day. All the officials find every reason not to do anything.

Well, the time has come to do something before an innocent bystander is the one killed.

No more symposiums, conferences and talks. Let’s act now.

Many years ago, the "tree lady" made her home on Kamehameha Highway and we allowed it. She was hit by a car and killed. No more!

Marilee Lyons
Haleiwa