Added expenses for the state’s health care program for the poor has contributed to a $6.1 billion budget gap, according to a mid-year update released on Friday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget office.
The report, released weeks after legally mandated deadline was blown, points to increases in the minimum wage, a phase out of added funding by the federal government and an increase in enrollment and costs for managed long-term care and payments to cash-distressed hospitals.
The report indicates the Cuomo administration is developing a savings plan with the Department of Health to avoid piercing the global cap for Medicaid.
“Savings may include across the board reductions in rates paid to providers and health plans, reductions in discretionary payments, and other actions that can be executed administratively in the current fiscal year,” the report states.
This content is brought to you by the FingerLakes1.com Team. Support our mission by visiting www.patreon.com/fl1 or learn how you send us your local content here.