BILL NUMBER: S1592

SPONSOR: RIVERA
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the appointment of
the state medicaid director

 
PURPOSE:

Provides that the Medicaid Director shall be confirmed with the advice
and consent of the State Senate.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill amends section 208-a of the public health law to
direct the Medicaid Director be appointed by the governor, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate.

 
JUSTIFICATION:
              

New York State's Medicaid program now serves 1 in 3 residents and spends
over $70 billion a year. Medicaid funding is used to support services
available through the Department of Health, the Office of Mental Health,
the Office of Substance Abuse Services and the Office of Developmental
Disabilities. The federal government contributes funding to the state's
program and has a role in overseeing it. Each state has a designated
Medicaid Director. New York's Medical Director serves as a Deputy
Commissioner within the Department of Health.

According to the National Association of Medical Directors, "Medicaid
directors are the senior leaders in states driving major innovations in
health care while overseeing Medicaid, one of the nation's most vital
and complex - health care safety net programs, which covers more than 72
million Americans. Medicaid directors work tirelessly to provide the
best possible health care to vulnerable Americans while being responsi-
ble stewards of taxpayer dollars."

Given the importance of this role in overseeing Medicaid and taxpayer
funds, this legislation provides that the Medicaid Director shall be
appointed by the governor, to be confirmed with the advice and consent
of the Senate.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-2018: S8082A Hannon/No Same-As
2019-2020: S1811A/No Same-As

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
First of January next succeeding the date on which it becomes law.