WPCNR'S ADAM IN ALBANY. By District 89 Assemblyperson Adam T. Bradley. January 24, 2004: When it comes to our health, or the health of our loved ones — we cannot compromise the care our families need. Last year, the governor tried to cut health care by $2 billion before a bipartisan legislative coalition stopped him. This year, the governor is repeating many of his wrong choices of last year by proposing a $1.4 billion cut to health care, including:

·        Nearly $800 million in cuts to Medicaid;

·        A “sick tax” on hospitals, nursing homes and home health care agencies – that will cost these providers $429 million; and

·        $178 million in cuts to other public health programs.

To make matters worse, the governor’s budget pushes affordable health care out of reach for those who need it the most. The governor is proposing co-pays and eliminating dental and vision coverage for people covered by the Family Health Program, which is the state program bringing affordable health care to the uninsured. Additionally, his budget cuts $75 million in Early Intervention funds when fully implemented – which hurts our most vulnerable, disabled children.

In a blow to seniors, the governor’s budget attempts to cut $60 million from EPIC, the state’s prescription drug program that helps them afford their medication. These cuts will drive pharmacies out of the program and make prescription drugs less available to seniors.

With many of our hospitals and nursing homes already losing money and facing severe staffing shortages, cutting Medicaid will only threaten the quality of care available to our families. These cuts and the governor’s proposal to raise taxes on hospitals, nursing homes, and home-care agencies will force health care facilities to cut jobs and eliminate services. The Healthcare Association of New York State has called on the legislature to “again reject the tax-and-cut proposals from the Governor.”

Just last year, St. Agnes hospital in White Plains closed and this year Westchester County Medical Center is facing severe financial difficulties. The medical center, the largest hospital in the seven-county Hudson Valley region, provides important care that local hospitals are unable to provide and is one of Westchester’s largest employers. It recently layed-off 300 employees. The center also recently received a credit rating near junk bond status. The governor’s budget proposal threatens to seriously jeopardize the quality of care here in Westchester County and may further hinder the medical center’s ability to thrive.

To relieve local governments from escalating Medicaid costs, the governor has proposed a ten-year takeover of long-term care – saving localities just $24 million this year. I’m encouraged that the governor has finally followed the Assembly’s leadership and addressed the need to ease the Medicaid burden on local taxpayers.

In fact, had the governor gone along with the Assembly’s proposals to have the state assume a larger share of Medicaid and the full non-federal share of Family Health Plus, we would have saved local taxpayers over $750 million since 1995.

 Essentially, the governor’s budget asks us to pay more for health care and, in turn, receive poorer care. Our families deserve better. I will continue fighting to ensure that Westchester families have access to the type of quality health care that saves lives.