Proposed Health Care Cuts Would Yield Job Losses And Severely Curtail Needed Health Care Services

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 15 Nov 2009 - 1:00 PST

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Statement by HANYS' President Daniel Sisto

"Governor Paterson has proposed $278 million in cuts to Medicaid funding which, when combined with federal matching dollars, would slash funding to health care providers by $747 million. We struggle to understand the rationale and wisdom of balancing the lion's share of New York's budget shortfalls squarely on the shoulders of an already fragile health care system.

"The Governor has said it is his priority to ensure access to care for all New Yorkers. However, over the last 18 months he has supported four distinct budget actions that, combined, cut funding to New York State's health care providers by a staggering $3.87 billion. The impacts of these actions are very real, yielding thousands of job losses and severely limiting New Yorkers' access to vital health care services throughout the state.

"This ongoing pattern of health care cuts is unsustainable and threatens providers' ability to provide 19 million New Yorkers with essential care, including cancer treatment and emergency services.

"Moreover, health care providers are the economic engines of our communities-if the deficit reduction plan is enacted, it will directly yield a commensurate loss of jobs and health care services, exacerbating the very revenue shortfalls the Governor is attempting to offset. Health care cuts are not the answer, and the Governor's plan does nothing to address the root of our economic woes. Legislators must look elsewhere to balance the budget.

"With a Special Legislative Session scheduled for next week, we strongly encourage the Governor and legislative leaders to work in concert with the health care community to find a solution that can work for all concerned-and, most importantly, that will ensure adequate care for all New Yorkers."

Source
HANYS