Over 1 million New Yorkers could be kicked off health insurance
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Over 1 million NYers could be kicked off health insurance
New York already spends a significantly higher amount on health care than the national average. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office is assessing how the state could make up for the losses. At least 1.4 million people living within the five boroughs will get kicked off their insurance, according to an estimate from the Citizens Budget Commission. They’re covered under a program called the Essential Plan that includes legal non-U.S. citizens, but the state will now have to foot the bill.“We could not have foreseen that at the time the budget was done,” the governor said during an Albany-based press conference on Friday. “What we have is really a complex set of changes to health care that are both going to reduce federal funding to the state, they’ve going to increase state costs, they will leave more New Yorkers uninsured and strain the state’S hospital system over the next few years,’ an official said. The state budget director says the fiscal hits will be felt starting Jan. 1.
New York already spends a significantly higher amount on health care than the national average. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office is assessing how the state could make up for the losses.
What You Need To Know New York already spends a significantly higher amount on health care than the national average. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office is assessing how the state could make up for the losses
The changes mean at least 1.4 million people living within the five boroughs will get kicked off their insurance, according to an estimate from the Citizens Budget Commission
Acting NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse told NY1 in a statement that half of the five boroughs’ over 8 million people could be affected are Medicaid recipients
After learning President Donald Trump’s so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” will likely eliminate health insurance for over 1.5 million New Yorkers, Hochul is figuring out a Plan B.
“We could not have foreseen that at the time the budget was done,” the governor said during an Albany-based press conference on Friday.
“Look at our efficiencies. What savings can we find to try and address that shortfall?” she added.
The changes mean at least 1.4 million people living within the five boroughs will get kicked off their insurance, according to an estimate from the Citizens Budget Commission.
They’re covered under a program called the Essential Plan that includes legal non-U.S. citizens, but the state will now have to foot the bill.
“What we have is really a complex set of changes to health care that are both going to reduce federal funding to the state, they’re going to increase state costs, they will leave more New Yorkers uninsured and strain the state’s hospital system over the next few years,” Ana Champney, director of City Studies at the Citizens Budget Commission, said.
Acting NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse told NY1 in a statement that half of the five boroughs’ over 8 million people could be affected are Medicaid recipients.
“When Medicaid was created in the 1960s, New York City residents made up 25 percent of the country’s enrollees within two years of its launch. Today, half of the city’s residents are on Medicaid,” she wrote.
“It is one of our most important anti-poverty programs and ensures access to life-saving health care for millions of New Yorkers. As we assess the impact of the bill, there is no question that the federal cuts to Medicaid will be bad for our city’s health,” Morse continued.
New York state’s budget director says the fiscal hits will be felt starting Jan. 1 and estimated to cost billions in Medicaid spending.
“We are projecting roughly $750 million in impact in the current fiscal year as a result of that. We see at least $3 billion required of state spending into the next fiscal year as well,” Blake Washington, director of the Division of Budget, said.
Cutting $10 billion in federal funding brings New York’s total loss and new estimated costs to over $13 billion.
Elected officials are sounding the alarm.
“I have three hospitals in my district. Jamaica, Queens, St. Johns. When I talk to those administrations, they say it would be devastating to them. Most of their resources are 65% Medicaid, they will not be able to either severely cut services and or remain open,” Queens Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks said on “Inside City Hall” Thursday night.
Hochul’s budget boss says New York can’t plug all the holes.
“Do you want to raise taxes to build or to just cover up for the mistakes of others?” Washington said.
“There’s no way the state of New York can finance what’s been foisted upon us. There’s no state that can do that frankly,” he added.
Others cautioned against raising taxes, instead favoring cutting program promises like Hochul’s $2 billion inflation rebate check plan.
“The state should not proceed with the planned $2 billion in inflation refund checks. It’s a onetime expense, but sending $300 and $300 checks is not the best use of that money,” Champney said.
She also says spending audits should happen now, because the federal budget could include more proposed cuts this fall.