The Assembly Health Committee this week hosted a hearing on the State Medicaid program’s efficacy and sustainability.
Legislators in attendance were Assembly Health Chair Richard Gottfried and Assemblymembers Edward Braunstein and Phara Forrest.
The majority of testimony came from patient advocates and organizations representing health care providers who voiced support for eliminating the Medicaid global spending cap. Others questioned whether different measures are more appropriate to properly reflect enrollment growth.
The cap was introduced by former Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2011 to control Medicaid spending growth. It was extended for one year starting in April.
According to State data, as of July, Medicaid enrollment hit 7.1 million New Yorkers. The cap increased from $19.9 billion in fiscal 2021 to $22.3 billion in fiscal 2022. The cap applies only to about 85% of Medicaid spending growth by the New York State Department of Health.
We will share the hearing video when it becomes available on the Assembly website.