WIVB: State Senator: $1.17 billion burden off taxpayers
Published: November 7, 2014, 11:21 pm
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A 2013 initiative which places a cap on Medicaid spending is saving taxpayers in Western New York.
State Senator Patrick Gallivan said county governments — like Erie County — are benefiting the most from the Medicaid cap, which forces New York State to assume more of the burden from the expensive program.
“Mandate relief is a key component of our ongoing effort to reduce New York’s high property taxes, and for county governments there is no greater burden than Medicaid,” Gallivan said. “By putting a cap on the local share of Medicaid costs, we can help counties control expenses…reduce property taxes.”
A three year period, which started in 2013 decreases the amount which Medicaid can cost local governments. In 2015, the cap will be zero; which means no increase in Medicaid costs for local governments.
The cap is projected to save $1.17 billion across the state over the next four years, and is expected to relieve $33 million from Erie County’s taxpayers and $7 million from Niagara County taxpayers.
Gallivan said he wants to eventually eliminate Medicaid from the list of local taxpayer burdens.
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