Media Advisory: Albany Citizens to Provide Feedback, Comments and Ideas on the Future of Medicaid & Reforming Health Care

State to Seek Up To $10 Billion Over 5 Years to Fully Implement the Medicaid Redesign Team Action Plan & Prepare For National Health Care Reform

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 19, 2012) – On Wednesday, June 20, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the University at Albany School of Public Health Auditorium, 1 University Place, Rensselaer N.Y. the State Department of Health will host a public forum to solicit feedback and public input on the waiver development process and the future of health care in the Albany community.

Attendees will be briefed by Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson on the State's Medicaid 1115 waiver as well as possible reinvestment options. All interested speakers will be given an opportunity to express their views, which will be documented and incorporated into the final waiver proposal. The waiver will allow the state to reinvest a portion of these federal savings into recommendations made by the Medicaid Redesign Team, which will improve patient outcomes and lower Medicaid costs.

To learn more about the Medicaid 1115 waiver or to submit an online comment, individuals are encouraged to visit: http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/.

WHAT: New York will pursue a groundbreaking Medicaid 1115 waiver amendment, which will support full-implementation of the Medicaid Redesign Team's (MRT) recommendations, and help the State to prepare for national health care reform requirements. Citizens and stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide ideas and comments while learning about the waiver amendment process.

WHERE: University at Albany School of Public Health Auditorium, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 20, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

NOTE: Pre-registration for the forums is not required. However, individuals who wish to speak at the forum will be asked to register at the University at Albany School of Public Health Auditorium on the day of the event; to provide for as many comments as possible, questions and comments will be limited to two minutes per speaker.