Upstate New York gets $2.3 billion gift in Republican health care bill

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The House Republicans' health care bill now provides an unusual sweetheart deal for upstate New York and Long Island.

In an effort to woo Republican lawmakers in the state, House leaders have agreed to an amendment that would block the federal government from reimbursing state Medicaid funds raised by local governments. The provision is worded so that it only applies to New York State.

In New York, counties outside of New York City send $2.3 billion to the state to help pay for Medicaid. Upstate officials cheered the GOP's measure, saying it would allow them to lower county property taxes for their residents. Medicaid spending accounts for an average of 44.3% of the county property tax levied in New York, state lawmakers argue.

"This is a huge win for our constituents," said New York Representative Chris Collins, who pushed for the provision, which would take effect in 2020. "Year after year, Albany's leadership relies on counties to foot the bill for New York State's out-of-control Medicaid costs. Enough is enough. This amendment will stop Albany from forcing its unfunded mandate down the throats of taxpayers, and help counties lower the property tax burden on hardworking families."

But state officials and hospital executives say it would blow a huge hole in the state's Medicaid budget and leave many New Yorkers without coverage.

"There is no fairy that is going to float down and hand over $2.3 billion to make up the shortfall that the counties lack," said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a press conference Tuesday. "...that means less people are going to get health care assistance. That means more hospitals, more nursing homes are going to close. That's what that means."


More: http://money.cnn.com/2017/03/21/news/economy/medicaid-new-york-republican-health-care-bill/

In other words, they're not above bribery in their quest for "yes" votes...