WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, 89th Assembly District. March 4, 2006: Westchester’s already struggling heath care institutions would be further devastated under the governor’s new budget. The governor has repeatedly proposed cutting heath care funding and increasing the sick tax on our nursing homes – passing these additional cost onto our families – this year is no different. And to add insult to injury, the governor has proposed increasing non-emergency Family Health Plus co-pays from $3 to $25 – discouraging people from seeking treatment for ailments before they deteriorate into more physically and financially costly emergencies.
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According to the Health Care Association of New York State (HANYS), healthcare institutions in Westchester county stand to lose over $34 million under the governor’s proposed budget,
including:
o Westchester Medical Center stands to lose – $4.6 million
o Cedar Manor Nursing Home stands to lose – $435,000
o White Plains Hospital stands to lose – $386,000
o The Burke Rehabilitation Hospital stands to lose – $179,000
o Northern Westchester Hospital stands to lose – $172,000
I’ve been working hard in the Assembly to improve our quality of life here in Westchester by
standing up against cuts in health care. With the 2006 legislative year in full swing, I will continue working for Westchester county residents.
Legislature overrides governor’s veto of Emergency Medicare Part D legislation
The legislature recently voted to override the governor’s veto of emergency legislation
requiring New York state to pay for prescription drugs for those left without coverage as a result of the federal government’s chaotic implementation of the new Medicare Part D program. Our override will ensure that 600,000 elderly and disabled New Yorkers receive the medication they need. For additional information on Medicare Part D, please call a trained professional:
· Westchester County Medicare Part D Helpline – 914-813-6100
· Medicare Rights Center Helpline – 800-333-4114
· Medicare – 800-633-4227
In the past, the Assembly has rejected the governor’s sick tax, his attempt to dramatically
increase co-pays on Family Health Plus enrollees, and his plan to cut aid to already-struggling hospitals by hundreds of millions of dollars – this year will be no exception. I am dedicated to fighting for a final budget that is fair, on-time and protects the best interests of our community.
