Senate bill looks to repeal CDPAP reform

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — New York is continuing to move forward with a major overhaul of a Medicaid program which allows people of all ages with disabilities to choose and receive care in their own home. The big change is the decision to shift from the more than 600 fiscal intermediaries (FI’s) down to a single operator. That contract is set to still be awarded by the state’s deadline of October 1.

Since the reforms were announced in the budget, growing efforts to stop the change have pushed forward. Now, a new piece of legislation, co-sponsored by local lawmakers, is aiming to essentially re-expand the program and create greater transparency about the process of operations in its entirety.

Senator Pam Helming represents the 54th District which encompasses Ontario, Wayne, and Livingston counties and some towns in Monroe County. She signed on to bi-partisan bill S.9901 which would repeal the current measure as it relates to licensure of the fiscal intermediary and allow for growth.

“While I think this bill is on the right track and will help us, if we can get it passed – to continue to provide good care and services to the most vulnerable New Yorkers. I still struggle with some of the bill language that would allow the Dept. of Health to decide how many FI’s we should have in the state,” says Helming.