| Tell Governor Paterson not to withhold Federal funding from New York City
Email the letter below to Governor Paterson telling him that New Yorkers need Federal funding! Click here to email the Governor.
Dear Governor Paterson:
I am writing to express my opposition to the State’s plans to withhold a much larger share of the total State Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) allocation than was originally anticipated.
Of the $11.1 billion in the FMAP funding for New York State, only $2.7 billion would be allocated to localities. Of this, New York City would receive no more than $1.9 billion, significantly less than the $2.1 billion in Medicaid financing expected over the next two years based on existing allocation formulas.
The outlined proposal undermines the State’s 2006 agreement that local governments would only be liable for up to 3% of the annual growth in Medicaid costs, with State picking up the amount beyond that. The 3% cap provides vital Medicaid relief, shifting the burden for additional costs back to the State, where decisions regarding Medicaid policy and parameters are determined. The State is reneging on the commitment to localities, forcing them to share a greater burden for growing Medicaid costs.
This decision threatens to take $200 million or more in badly needed federal stimulus aid from the City at a time when we are struggling to ensure that vital services are protected. For that reason, we urge you to reconsider the allocation of FMAP funding under the federal stimulus package to honor the State’s commitment to cap growing Medicaid costs.
Sincerely,
Your Name Here!
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