By Shannon Young
POLITICO
1/07/2020 12:24 PM EST

Nearly two dozen organizations representing New York hospitals, nursing homes, physicians and other health care providers called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week to immediately reverse the reduced Medicaid spending that took effect on Jan. 1.

The coalition — which included the Healthcare Association of New York State, Medical Society of the State of New York and others who have spoken out against the cuts — urged the administration to reconsider the 1 percent across-the-board Medicaid reduction and additional cuts that are expected to come as the state looks to plug a $4 billion budget hole.

The groups argued in a Monday letter to Cuomo that “this reduction should immediately be repealed” as New York’s Medicaid program “has not adequately reimbursed for increased costs and critical policy initiatives since the Medicaid Redesign Team changes began to take effect.”

Noting the cuts come despite increases in the costs of providing care, they cast the Jan. 1 reduction as “essentially a permanent reverse trend-factor.”

“The progressive and positive policy decisions made in New York to take care of the health of our citizens and to compensate adequately the health care workers that deliver care to those in need, should not be borne by unsustainable reimbursement reductions to those providers and entities that employ these workers and ensure that health and long-term care services are available to those in need,” they wrote. “As we cross the threshold to the new decade, we ask that you reconsider this across the board payment reduction, other Medicaid reductions and protect this critical program for our State’s most vulnerable residents, the workers who care for them and the providers who bear the responsibility.”

“New Yorkers deserve nothing less,” the coalition added.

Cuomo’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

To view online (subscription required):
https://subscriber.politicopro.com/states/new-york/whiteboard/2020/01/07/health-groups-press-cuomo-to-repeal-1-percent-medicaid-reduction-9420612