The measure is intended to address the fraud and theft in the home health care industry that his office has investigated recently.

"The extensive fraud we have uncovered in the home health care industry has endangered New York's most vulnerable population, cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, and has been going on far too long," Cuomo said.

Among the abuses discovered in Cuomo's ongoing investigation was the widespread issuing and purchase of fraudulent home health agency certificates, resulting in workers who lacked proper training.

The investigation also found that multiple agencies submitted bills for the same aide or didn't list the name of the actual home health aide -- often resulting in overpayment. Another problem was poor record-keeping, which limited the ability recreate accurate billing information.

Christine Johnson, president of the New York State Association of Health Care Providers, had previously urged officials to establish a central state registry of certified aides.

Medicaid is a program for those who can't afford to pay for medical care. Home health care costs Medicaid $1.3 billion a year and 83,000 residents have an aide come into their home to provide care each month in New York state, according to Cuomo's office.

Cuomo said the only way to know how many people are working as home health aides for the elderly and infirm of New York is to create a registry that would be developed and maintained by the state Department of Health.

Cuomo will also testify at a joint Senate and Assembly hearing on the issues affecting the home health care industry.