Operators of Long Island community health centers are urging New York State to provide greater funding in the upcoming budget to offset federal cuts to Medicaid, loss of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, and inflation. They are seeking a commitment of $300 million in funding, with the state budget required to be finalized by April 1.
Community health centers are nonprofit organizations that provide primary, preventive, dental, and behavioral health services to underserved communities regardless of insurance status. These centers provide care to 2.5 million New Yorkers across 900 sites, with 42.3% of their funding coming from Medicaid. Operators warned that federal Medicaid cuts included in President Donald Trump’s budget bill will likely result in an uptick in uninsured patients. Aaron Clark, CEO of Long Island Select Healthcare, a community health center operator with five locations on the Island, stated, “With Medicaid changes coming, we anticipate that close to 1.5 million New Yorkers could potentially lose their insurance this year.”
David Nemiroff, president and CEO of Harmony Healthcare Long Island, which operates six clinics on the Island, emphasized the critical importance of Medicaid funding, noting that “Twenty-five percent of our business is from uninsured patients. So, those Medicaid rates are really, really important for us.” Rose Duhan, president and CEO of Community Health Care Association of New York State, which represents community health centers statewide, urged lawmakers to take action, saying, “Lawmakers have an opportunity right now to turn words into action by making a transformational $300 million investment in community health centers in this year’s budget.”
Delayed Funding and State Response
Operators noted that centers statewide stood to benefit from an “up to $40 million” commitment in last year’s finalized budget, but those funds have yet to materialize. The funding, part of an expected windfall from the state taxing managed care organizations (MCOs), was put in limbo amid Trump’s changes to Medicaid, resulting in delays. While the state indicated its executive budget includes $1.2 billion in MCO tax investments and builds on Medicaid rate increases, Duhan said it remains uncertain how much will be directed to community centers. “We want to be able to take them at their word and see that funding come through,” Duhan said. She added that even the $40 million committed last year was “insufficient” given present needs.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.newsday.com/business/health-clinics-medicaid-budget-funding-xcofi4aq