Senate Democratic Majority Safeguards Healthcare Funding

NYS SENATOR ERIC ADAMS JOINS SENATE COLLEAGUES TO RESTORE $1.2 BILLION TO HEALTH BUDGET

SENATE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY MOVES NEW YORK STATE TOWARDS A PRIMARY AND PREVENTIVE CARE SERVICE MODEL

Rejecting proposed cuts to healthcare services of more than $3.3 billion in the FY2009-2010 Executive Budget, the State Senate Democratic Majority spearheaded a successful effort to:

• Restore more than $1.2 billion in funds to the healthcare budget
• Institute important reforms to move New York to a cost-effective primary and preventive care model of service
• Reject $512 million in proposed cuts to hospitals
• Ensure that Medicaid will pay a fair price for inpatient services and improve reimbursement for primary care and other outpatient services at hospitals and clinics
• Protect neighborhood pharmacies by rejecting a decrease in Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement

The Senate Democratic Majority also adopted essential Medicaid reforms to improve patient care and health outcomes, invest in community-based primary care infrastructure and facilities, and develop reimbursement and program reform proposals for Medicaid home care services. 

The budget commits $63 million in state funds, to be matched by an equal $63 million in federal funds, to the development and enhancement of community-based primary care health centers.  It includes a half-billion dollars in funding for hospitals and networks to assist in a transition to a patient-driven system that provides improved access to necessary care in the most effective setting.

Other important healthcare victories that found the Senate Democratic Majority in the vanguard include:

• Rejection of a 2% across-the-board Medicaid rate reduction
• Restoration of 43% of the proposed cuts to nursing homes
• Restoration of  $132.6 million for home care services (to avoid a shortage of home health care workers in already under-served areas of New York)
• New investments that involve: