Statement of the Medical Society of the State of New York on the Medicaid Redesign Team Report

March 9th, 2011

Statement of the Medical Society of the State of New York on the Medicaid Redesign Team Report and its Inclusion in Governor Cuomo’s Proposed 2011-2012 Budget

The Medical Society of the State of New York will support the report of the Medicaid Redesign Team, as incorporated into Governor Cuomo’s Budget Amendments, if, and only if, the Medical Liability Reform proposals remain intact. The Medical Society of the State of New York has decided to support this Report for one overriding reason –Medical Liability Reform. Medical liability reform is the linchpin of successful reform; Medical Liability Reform is Medicaid Reform. Without Medical Liability Reform, specifically, the $250,000 cap on non-economic damages, the Re-design Plan is not sustainable. Without medical liability reform, the Medical Society will not support this report.

Like many of our colleague organizations, the Medical Society of the State of New York has concerns with some of the recommendations in the Report. We will continue to advocate for the physicians and patients of New York State. We will seek changes in the Medicaid program to address inadequate physician payments; unwarranted non-physician scope of practice expansions; and insurer surcharges on payments for physicians’ services. We look forward to working with Governor Cuomo, the Legislature, and other like-minded organizations to achieve meaningful medical liability tort reform and Medicaid reform.

Posted in NEWS FROM THE NYS LEGISLATURE |

GOVERNOR CUOMO RELEASES BUDGET TO CLOSE $10 B GAP

February 2nd, 2011

Governor Cuomo released his proposed Budget for the 2011-12 Budget year which seeks to close a $10 billion budget gap.  The proposed Budget includes all funds spending of $132.9 Billion, or 2.7% ($3.7B) less than the funding allocated for the 2010-11 Budget year.  Notably, the Budget proposal calls for reducing State Funds Medicaid spending by $2.85 billion for the 2011-12 fiscal year, and $4.6 billion for the 2012-13 fiscal year based upon initiatives identified by the Governor’s Medicaid Re-Design Team, and limiting spending growth to the 10-year rolling average of the medical care component of the CPI (currently 4%).

While staff is continuing its review of the Budget bills released by the Governor, among the notable items in the proposed Budget include:

• Continuing Excess Medical Liability Insurance program for next 3 years
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• Continuing superintendent’s medical liability insurance rate-setting authority for 3 years
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• Continuing $990,000 allocation for MSSNY’s Committee for Physician’s Health
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• Continuing $1.7 million in funding for the physician loan forgiveness program
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• 10% cut to early intervention services
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• Funding for Cancers Services Program is reduced by $650,000 to reflect the elimination of non-direct care components of certain programs. Estimated savings for 2011-12 is $320,000.
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• Restructure the General Public Health Work Program:  Reimbursement for the General Public Health Work program will be limited to basic services and reimbursement for all optional services will be discontinued.   Optional services include Medical Examiners, Early Intervention Service Coordination, Dental Services, Home Health Service, Long Term Care, Emergency Medical Services, other environmental services, radioactive materials licensing, radioactive equipment inspection and housing hygiene.   Estimated Savings for 2011-12 is $10.5 million
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• Would limit EPIC coverage for drugs when an enrollee has entered into the Medicare Part D coverage gap.   Effective July 1, 2011 EPIC enrollees will be responsible for paying Part D premiums or their full deductible.  Produces savings in the program estimated at $58.4 million.
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• No new health care taxes, assessments or fee increases
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Posted in NEWS FROM THE NYS LEGISLATURE |

COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATION LEGISLATION Re-Introduced

January 25th, 2011

Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari has re-introduced legislation (A.2474) that would permit independently practicing physicians the ability to negotiate collectively patient care terms with health insurance companies, under close state supervision. With nearly 80% of the enrollees in the commercial managed care market in New York State enrolled in just six health insurance behemoths, and most regions of the state dominated by just one or two health plans, most physicians face “take it or leave it” contracts that do not afford them any realistic ability to negotiate important plan participation terms. Enactment of this legislation is one of MSSNY’s highest priorities for the 2011 Legislative Session.

Co-sponsors of this legislation are Assemblymembers: Gottfried, Cahill, Colton, Magnarelli, Galef, Paulin, Schimel, Lifton, Cusick, O’Donnell, Abbate, Aubry, Bing, Brennan, Cook, Cymbrowitz, Destito, Dinowitz, Englebright, Glick, Heastie, Hikind, Hooper, Jacobs, Latimer, V. Lopez, Lupardo, Magee, Markey, McEneny, Meng, Millman, Morelle, Ortiz, Pheffer, Pretlow, Raia, Scarborough, Spano, Sweeney, Towns, Weinstein, and Wright. Physicians are urged to contact sponsors from their area to thank them for their sponsorship. Please urge your local legislators to join on as co-sponsors of this legislation if not listed already!

Posted in NEWS FROM THE NYS LEGISLATURE |