Public Forums on Reducing Cost of Medicaid, Improving Efficiency Scheduled for Buffalo and Rochester
No Pre-Registration Required
ALBANY, N.Y. (January 18, 2011) – The New York State Medicaid Redesign Team, created by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to conduct a comprehensive examination of New York's Medicaid system, will hold a public hearing on Wednesday in Buffalo and on Thursday in Rochester. The purpose is to solicit suggestions from the public and stakeholders on ways to eliminate waste and inefficiency while improving quality in the Medicaid program.
The two hearings will be held as follows:
| BUFFALO Wednesday, January 19 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Roswell Park Cancer Institute David C. Hohn Lecture Hall Research Studies Center Elm and Carlton streets Buffalo, NY 14263 |
| ROCHESTER Thursday, January 20 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
National Museum of Play at The Strong One Manhattan Square Rochester, NY 14607 |
No pre-registration is required. Individuals wishing to speak will be asked to register onsite. All presentations will be limited to two minutes to accommodate as many speakers as possible. Subsequent hearings will be held in New Paltz, Queensbury, New York City and Long Island.
New York State Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson serves as executive director of the Medicaid Redesign Team. Co-chairs are Michael Dowling, President and CEO of North Shore LIJ Health system, and Dennis Rivera, former Chair of SEIU Healthcare and currently Senior Advisor to the International President of SEIU. The Team must submit its first report with findings and recommendations to the Governor by March 1 for consideration during the budget process. The Team will submit quarterly reports thereafter until the end of the 2011-2012 fiscal year, when it disbands.
"At its current rate of growth, New York's Medicaid program is unsustainable," said Dowling. "The Medicaid Redesign Team is seeking everyone's help in finding solutions to bring costs down while maintaining and improving quality. This is an open, participatory process. These hearings offer an opportunity for the general public as well as various stakeholders to offer their suggestions and be part of the solution."
Suggestions may also be submitted on the Medicaid Redesign web site at: http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/
