Medicaid Cost Shift Countdown Continues

Madison County Milk House

With 14 days left before the NYS Budget is due, Madison County Officials revisit the eFMAP discussion and answer some of your questions.

If Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to withhold federal funds from Counties passes, owning property in New York State will be even more unaffordable. Madison County and fellow counties have been working with NYSAC to educate the public about the proposal to withhold $625 million in Medicaid funds from all of the New York Counties, which they have been receiving for 20 years. Currently the Counties have the backing of the NY legislature as we go into final budget negotiations.

In 2003, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (eFMAP) created the state as a federal pass-thru to the counties and New York City. If enacted, Madison County, in just the first year, 2023, would be required to spend an additional $833,000. And then starting in 2024 an estimated additional $1.6 million a year. That would increase property taxes by at least 4.5% next year. If taxes are not increased, the Madison County Board of Supervisors faces the difficult decision of what services are cut to make up that money.

The Madison County Milk House once again has brought together Chairman John M. Becker, County Administrator Mark Scimone, and Madison County Commissioner of DSS Mike Fitzgerald to talk about the impact losing $1.6 million in federal funding would mean for residents, and what you can do to help spread the word.

Help keep the eFMAP coming to the Counties by calling:

NYS Senator Liz Krueger, Chair of Finance Committee – [phone]

NYS Senator Andrea Stuart Cousins, Senate Majority Leader – [phone]

Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl E. Heastie – [phone]

Governor Kathy Hochul – [phone]

U.S. Senator Charles “Chuck” Schumer – [phone] or [phone]

Congressman Brandon Williams – [phone] or [phone]