BOSTON (AP) -- Officials say the state spent $118 million providing health care for illegal immigrants, out-of-staters and others who couldn't provide proof of Massachusetts residency in the latest period for which records are available.
The money spent from October 2010 through September 2011 came from the state's Health Safety Net, a fund used to reimburse hospitals and clinics for care provided to the uninsured.
The numbers were provided in a letter from Health and Human Services Commissioner Aron Boros to state Rep. James Lyons.
The Andover Republican tells the Boston Herald the state should tighten regulations to weed out free riders.
A spokesman for the state agency says the fund is intended to help victims of domestic violence and children and payments have declined more than 40 percent in recent years.
