Statement from the NYS Department of Health

The Medicaid Redesign Team has been tasked by Governor Cuomo to find ways to reduce costs and increase quality and efficiency in the Medicaid program for the upcoming 2011-12 Fiscal Year. As part of its work, the Team is seeking ideas from the public at large, as well as experts in health care delivery and insurance, the health care workforce, economics, business, consumer rights and other relevant areas.

New York Medicaid spends more than $53 billion annually to provide health care to more than 4.7 million people in need. In effect, Medicaid is the largest health insurance program in New York State. The costs are borne by state, county and federal taxpayers. The Team will undertake the most comprehensive examination of New York Medicaid since its inception. The Team must submit its first report with findings and recommendations to the Governor by March 1 for consideration in the budget process, and shall submit quarterly reports thereafter until the end of Fiscal Year 2011-12, when it will disband.

As part of its collaborative approach, the Team wants to hear reform ideas, big and small, from health care professionals, administrators, stakeholders, and the general public through regional public hearings and an online survey. As ideas are collected, the Medicaid Redesign Team will evaluate the ideas and approve a final package to be reviewed and approved by the Governor and the Legislature.