Livingston County and the New York State Association of Counties have joined forces to call on the State of New York to continue providing pass-through assistance from Affordable Care Act Enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage funds. This funding was originally intended to incentivize states to expand the Medicaid program and help Counties and New York City shoulder the costs associated with supporting Medicaid.
However, New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2023-2024 Executive Budget proposal seeks to keep the pass-through funding to cover other state spending obligations. This move could result in an added financial burden for the state’s 57 Counties, including Livingston County, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars annually. New York City could also face even higher amounts in unbudgeted costs.
“We respectfully implore Governor Hochul to change her proposed plan in the Executive Budget and continue to share this critical Federal aid,” said David L. LeFeber, Chair of the Livingston County Board of Supervisors. “Having to stare down a significant added cost is a heavy added burden for our residents to bear.” The expected impact to Livingston County alone is projected to be $1.1 million in 2023.
Since 2003, the State has shared funding received through eFMAP proportionally with Counties after the program was enacted by the United States Congress. Without the pass-through funding, many Counties may be forced to adjust programming and funding used to support other important initiatives.
“At a time when New York is facing an affordability crisis, the last thing the Governor should do is burden local taxpayers with more costs that will drive up the cost of homeownership and rent, increase business expenses and make New York more unaffordable,” added Michael E. Zurlo, President of the New York State Association of Counties.
The call by Livingston County and the New York State Association of Counties highlights the need for continued pass-through assistance from Affordable Care Act Enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage funds to ensure that the state’s Counties are able to support Medicaid without incurring additional costs.
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