Governor, NY counties don’t want federal cuts for hospitals
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Association of Counties both issued statements today opposing cuts in federal Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payments to hospitals.
“New York State hospitals receive more than $1.8 billion annually in DSH payments and proposed cuts by Congress will have a devastating impact on our health care system,” said Stephan Acquario, executive director for NYSAC.
“Fiscally strong hospitals are the cornerstone of a comprehensive and accessible health care system for patients, especially low-income and vulnerable populations, throughout this great state and across the nation,” Acquario said. “NYSAC, along with the National Association of Counties, has opposed these cuts in the past and will continue to do so.”
Congress delayed implementation of these federal funding cuts each year since 2014, but they are set to begin October 1, 2019 if no further action is taken by Congress to again delay the cuts.
“The impending Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital program cuts would decimate hospitals that provide uncompensated care to uninsured and low-income New Yorkers by taking away over $2.6 billion over the next 18 months and more than $14.5 billion cumulatively through 2025,” Cuomo said.
“Health care is a right, not a privilege, and Congress must stand up for the safety of our most vulnerable neighbors,” he said. “I am calling on Congress to immediately rescind these impending cuts before they take effect on October 1st. If they don’t, they will put critical health care services at risk for millions of New Yorkers.”
