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WASHINGTON, DC (WNY News Now) – Western New York’s Congressional Representative has introduced legislation that would provide flexibility to local governments administering Medicaid benefits.
Congressman Nick Langworthy’s bill, “Protect Local Taxpayers Act” is in response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal that he says raids $625 million in Federal Medical Assistance Percentage funding designated to New York counties since 2011.
Langworthy says the state currently offers a plan with the most expansive Medicaid benefits and despite requiring counties to pay a significant portion of the bill, officials in Albany does not give counties flexibility in what services are offered or how they are administered.
This new law, if passed, would provide flexibility and allow counties to save money.
If Gov. Hochul’s proposed budget passes as is, Langworthy says counties in the 23rd congressional district will face a budget shortfall in the tens of millions.
Locally, it’s estimated Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties would see four million- and two-million-dollar impact from the governor’s current proposal.
In addition to Langworthy, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Congressman Brandon Williams (NY-22) are co-sponsors of this bill.
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