Utica, N.Y., October 11, 2018 – Stephanie Miner and Michael Volpe detailed their plan for a state takeover of Medicaid during a visit to Utica.
New York is the only state in the country that forces its counties to share Medicaid costs. In the 57 counties outside New York City, Medicaid eats up an average of 40% of county property tax revenue.
In addition, New York spends 76 percent above the national average and is the highest in the nation. New York spends as much on Medicaid as Texas and Pennsylvania combined, at S3,054 per capita. These costs have not resulted in better care for patients. The federal government ranks the quality of New York State’s hospitals the lowest in the country.
“We have to provide relief to homeowners and businesses. We have to control costs, while making sure patients get high quality care,” Miner said.
The Miner-Volpe team will do the following:
● The state will assume the total cost of Medicaid for the 57 counties outside of New York City over a five-year period.
● Provide tax relief to by mandating counties pass savings back to property owners.
● Implement the measures outlined by the Comptroller’s Office in July 2016 to strengthen the state’s Medicaid Managed Care Organization Fraud and Abuse Detection program.
● Push for hospitals to measure and report the amount of time they spend on record-keeping related to the Medicaid program.
Miner and Volpe have the experience to tackle this complicated issue. Their bipartisan ticket is on the SAM (Serve America Movement) line.
“As mayors, we’re used to solving problems and finding better ways to do things,” said Volpe.
