Lawmakers raise concern about Medicaid cuts in Gov. Hochul's state budget proposals
ALBANY, NY (WENY)--Tuesday, IN THE FIRST OF 11 BUDGET HEARINGS LAWMAKERS FOCUS ON THE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR HEALTHCARE.
SOME LAWMAKERS RAISE CONCERN ABOUT THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED CHANGES AND CUTS TO THE STATE’S MEDICAID PROGRAM—PARTICULARLY FOR LONG TERM CARE.
“The Governor’s budget really decimates the nursing home industry,” said Assembly Member Scott Bendett (R-Assembly District 107) during the hearing.
THE GOVERNOR’S PLAN REDUCES $400 MILLION IN LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES.
THE COMMISSIONER OF THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAid THESE CUTS ARE AN EFFORT TO MAKE THE MEDICAID PROGRAM MORE SUSTAINABLE—WITH A PROJECTED 20 PERCENT SPENDING INCREASE IN LONG-TERM CARE ALONE.
“The Governor’s approach is to work with the legislature and see if we can find cuts hopefully on things that won’t negatively impact people. It's about partnership—about trying to find savings where we can together. It’s about partnership,” said James McDonald, New York State Department of Health Commissioner.
SOME LAWMAKERS WORRY THESE CUTS COULD LEAD TO CLOSURES OF NURSING HOMES AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.
“So, it’s problematic, we’re going to have to take a hard look at ways to restore some of the more severe cuts,” said Assembly Member Amy Paulin (D-Assembly District 88).
SOME DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS SAid THEY SHARE CONCERNS OF CUTS AND POTENTIAL CLOSURES OF FACILITIES, BUT THEY ALSO SAid ADDRESSING THE CONTINUED INCREASE TO MEDICAID ENROLLMENT AND SPENDING IS IMPORTANT.
“Nobody likes to see cuts, on the other hand we also can’t have an eleven percent increase in Medicaid year over year, when we’re talking about not a one hundred thousand dollars increase but billions of dollars of increase, so we have to walk that balancing line,” said Assembly Member John McDonald (D-Assembly District 108).
