NY Fund For Crime Victims Helps Cover Ongoing Medical Bills
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York paid $20 million last year to crime victims to help cover medical bills, counseling, damaged property and other out-of-pocket expenses.
The state program is funded by criminals through fines, fees and surcharges imposed in federal and state courts.
Other states have similar programs, but New York officials say theirs is the only one with no cap on medical and counseling expenses.
Fifty-year-old David Snowden says he doesn't know how much the state has reimbursed him since a 1991 drive-by shooting in Queens left him paralyzed.
Expenses include modifications to his condominium, lost wages, medical co-payments, wheelchair repairs and other costs not covered by his private insurance.
Snowden has taped a public service announcement to call attention to the program, which is marking its 50th anniversary.
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[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]
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