NYSACRA

NYS SENATE ISSUES MEDICAID REPORT

The NYS Senate released its long-awaited report o­n Medicaid this week. The Senate Medicaid Reform Task Force proposed a takeover of local Medicaid costs for Family Health Plus costs that would reduce local property taxes, as well as reforms that would restructure the Medicaid program, reduce costs, and is projected to save local taxpayers about $2 Billion over five years.

In addition to the changes to Family Health Plus, they recommended changes to control drug costs, reform Long Term Care, establish disease management programs (managed care), and establish a more comprehensive utilization review.

Specifically, they would seek to control drug costs by using a preferred drug list and prior authorization program, use more generic drugs, and look to the importation of Canadian drugs.

They recommend expanding private LTC insurance, use of life insurance equity, maximizing third-party insurance coverage for LTC, restricting spousal exemptions, extending asset look-backs, and requiring direct payment of a nursing home resident’s Federal SSI funds to the nursing home.

The Report suggests a de-emphasis o­n institutional care and being more responsive to consumer needs. Of the suggested reforms this may actually benefit individuals with developmental disabilities now receiving care in a nursing home.

Neither the NYS Assembly nor the Governor have weighed in o­n this Medicaid Report yet, so what legislative direction it will take is unknown.

You can view a copy of the Report at the Senate website, http://www.senate.state.ny.us and NYSACRA will have a more in depth analysis later.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE NYSACRA LEGISLATIVE GAZETTE SPECIAL SECTION

Shortly you will be receiving the information for taking out an ad in the February 2, 2004 issue of the Legislative Gazette for NYSACRA’s Legislative Day 2004. This issue comes out the day before NYSACRA’s Legislative Day, which is o­n Tuesday, February 3rd. For every ad you take, NYSACRA is allowed an equal space to publish our message to the Legislature, Governor and the State. Please thank the Legislature and Governor for their past support and show your support for our Direct Support Workforce. See you o­n Tuesday, February 3, 2004!

PLEASE SEND IN YOUR LEGISLATIVE DAY SIGN-UP!

Please take a few moments and fill out the NYSACRA Legislative Day 2004 Sign-Up Form or use the o­nline version at the NYSACRA website, www.nysacra.org.