Statement by Eric Linzer, HPA President & CEO
“We commend our Congressional delegation and House and Senate leaders for preserving federal funding for important health care programs in the state. With the threat of federal budget cuts to our state’s health care system now resolved, the focus needs to be on meaningful reforms to state programs and addressing the underlying factors driving health care costs so that health care is more affordable for New Yorkers.
“The Governor’s Executive Budget proposals to tax for-profit insurers and to reduce the Medicaid rates to nonprofit health plans if their reserves exceed the minimum required level seek to plug holes in the state budget and balance the state’s fiscal challenges by targeting health plans. Ultimately, these proposals will increase the cost of health care for employers and consumers. Adding to the $5 billion in health insurance taxes already in place does nothing to make health care more affordable and we urge the Assembly and Senate to reject these proposals.”