New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently released her 30-day amendments, which alter her State fiscal year 2024-25 Executive budget proposal. To help you better understand those changes, we have developed this table, which we will share with elected officials and staff in Albany.
The 30-day amendments include changes to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, a ban on entities providing licensed home care services or fiscal intermediary services from running managed care or managed long-term care plans, a requirement that pregnant and postpartum individuals consent to drug tests, and a modification to the Health Care Safety Net Transformation program requiring that hospitals apply with at least one partner.
GNYHA and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East—through the Healthcare Education Project (HEP)—continue to push Albany to address startling Medicaid underpayments that threaten our hospitals and access to care for New Yorkers. HEP’s campaign goals are to 1) increase New York’s Medicaid reimbursement rate for hospitals to 100% of cost and 2) seek health care justice for all New Yorkers by reducing health care disparities and improving health outcomes for low-income, predominantly Black and Brown communities.
Despite acknowledging that hospitals are struggling, Governor Hochul’s Executive budget does not include a hospital Medicaid rate increase.
Components of the HEP campaign include community meetings, asking legislators to sign a memo in support of our goals, and a comprehensive media effort (broadcast, radio, digital, and social). We are also planning a February 28 “Healthcare Justice” rally on the steps of New York City Hall with City Council members and 1199SEIU workers.