HANYS and Coalition Unite to Ensure Federal Medicaid Dollars Are Used for Health Care

HANYS was part of an historic coalition of health care provider and patient advocacy organizations that held a press conference at the state Capitol yesterday to call on the State Legislature to ensure that any increase in federal Medicaid funding is used solely for Medicaid health care services.

The federal government is expected to pass a stimulus package shortly that is anticipated to include up to $5 billion in increased federal Medicaid funding for New York State. Twelve statewide health care provider and patient advocacy organizations have joined together to protect these health care dollars from being used for non-health care purposes.

“Our message is simple and reasonable: Medicaid dollars should be used for Medicaid services,” said HANYS’ President Daniel Sisto. “These anticipated federal funds will be a literal lifeline for patients, residents, and providers across the state. Medicaid has already been cut twice this fiscal year by more than $1 billion, and now we are staring down the barrel of the Governor’s latest budget proposal that includes another $5 billion in health care cuts and taxes over the next two years.

“We need the Legislature to take concrete steps to ensure that the anticipated federal dollars are used to offset these enormous state cuts, and that they are not raided for non-health care purposes,” Mr. Sisto said.

Sue Ellen Wagner, Executive Director of Healthcare Trustees of New York State, said, “The trustees of our hospitals and health systems understand the intense fiscal pressures facing health care providers and the very real danger that the Governor’s cuts and taxes will result in layoffs and the curtailment of health care services. That is why it is imperative that any additional federal Medicaid dollars be used to offset these cuts and taxes and to ensure that New Yorkers will continue to receive the health care they need.”

The boards of HANYS and HTNYS have passed resolutions calling on the Governor and State Legislature to use any new federal Medicaid funds for Medicaid purposes only, and are encouraging the governing boards of member organizations to do likewise.

HANYS is leading efforts at the state and federal levels for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) as part of the economic stimulus package currently being developed. This would result in billions of Medicaid dollars coming into New York at a time when this funding is needed most. When this increase occurs, HANYS is advocating that FMAP resources must be dedicated to Medicaid as intended, and used to mitigate the Governor’s proposed Medicaid cuts. The Governor’s 2009-2010 Executive Budget proposal would eliminate more than $2.5 billion in health care funding, with more than $1 billion in hospital cuts alone.

Other members of the coalition calling for “Medicaid for Medicaid” include:

• Center for Medical Consumers, a leading statewide health care consumer advocacy organization.
• New York Organization of Nurse Executives, the professional organization for nurses who design, facilitate, influence, and manage health care services in New York State.
• Medical Society of the State of New York, an organization of approximately 30,000 licensed physicians, medical residents, and medical students in New York State.
• Home Care Association of New York State, representing home care providers, individuals, and associate members who collectively serve thousands of New Yorkers.
• New York State Association of Health Care Providers, Inc., representing more than 500 offices of licensed home care service agencies, certified home health agencies, long-term home health care programs, hospices, and health related organizations.
• New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, representing non-profit and public nursing homes, senior housing, adult care facilities, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living, and community service providers.
• New York State Health Facilities Association, Inc., representing skilled nursing facilities, adult homes, assisted living residences, and individual and multi-facility operations of proprietary, voluntary, and government sponsorship.
• New York State Public Health Association, a broad-based statewide organization devoted to promoting and protecting the public’s health.
• American Cancer Society of New York and New Jersey, dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.
• American Heart Association, a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Contact: William Van Slyke