NY ex-con shoplifts to get prison health care

Frank Morocco, a Buffalo area ex-convict, intentionally got himself arrested for shoplifting two weeks ago. He stole $23 worth of miscellaneous items, making sure he was seen by store employees and other customers. He stated that he was desperate and saw no other way to get treatment for his cancer. He suffers from a rare form of leukemia for which he received great care while in prison. But since his release last December he has been unable to afford private insurance and his employer does not offer benefits. With assistance from his probation officer he applied for Medicaid and disability coverage, but was denied. He has incurred $5,000 in medical debt in the last year. The Buffalo Times article notes other cases of ex-convicts getting arrested for health care.