Senator Oppenheimer Joins Bipartisan Effort to Eliminate Unfunded Mandate in Medicaid Cost Structure and Reduce Property Taxes

On October 3, 2011, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer joined with state and local officials from throughout New York to support legislation (S.5889B/A.8644) that would structurally reform the existing Medicaid cost structure and shift the local share of Medicaid costs to the State.

"I have long supported a state takeover of Medicaid costs, the largest unfunded mandate placed on the property tax," said Senator Oppenheimer.  "Local governments must be given the means to reduce their costs and lower the property tax burden.  I co-sponsor this proposal because it provides real relief for taxpayers in the form of a freeze on increases now and a phased-in assumption of Medicaid costs by the State."