WIVB: State Senator: $1.17 billion burden off taxpayers

By Mark Belcher, News 4 Digital ProducerPublished: 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.