Dear Governor Hochul,
As health advocates in our communities, we write today to express grave concern about your proposed state budget, which continues the chronic underfunding of Medicaid, the critically important program that supports the health of over seven million New Yorkers, or two out of every five people.
We understand that New York’s Medicaid program reimburses hospitals 30 percent less than the actual cost of care, and that these underpayments are pushing these institutions to the fiscal brink. They cannot hire staff they need, and
are cutting badly needed services, including treatment for mental health. The New York State Office of Mental Health has reported the closure of 850 inpatient psychiatric beds across the state, in part because hospitals lack the funds to bring them back into service.
We have friends, family members, and community members who are on Medicaid. We have seen how underfunding aggravates what are already difficult and painful situations, as they seek treatment for diseases like cancer, hypertension and diabetes, assistance for special needs and physical disabilities, and recovery from gun violence. For instance,
you are likely well aware that New York’s Medicaid program is required by law to cover preventive treatment for diabetes. But because underpayments make these services unattractive to providers, they are often unavailable in the communities that need them the most.
As witnesses to the devastation this health care crisis is causing, we are asking you to end this suffering, and make a commitment to fully fund Medicaid by making a significant down payment in this year’s executive budget, to eventually close the gap within the next four years. We applaud the New York State Senate and Assembly for releasing their respective one-house budget resolutions that would put our state on the path to fully funding Medicaid. By committing funding to this crucial public resource, your administration can begin to address these significant health care disparities that have long been ignored. New York would also have a more equitable and better health care system for all, no matter their income or zip code.
We join the New York Alliance for Healthcare Justice in the belief that underfunding Medicaid is at the heart of what is fundamentally wrong and destructive in health care. Fully funding Medicaid should be a priority, for the health of all New Yorkers. Thank you for the full consideration of our concerns.
Sincerely,
