Health Budget Restores Home Health Cuts
April 1, 2008

Contact:
Roger L. Noyes (518) 810-0665; (518) 275-6961 cell

Download: HCA's Press Release on the State Legislature's Adoption of a Health Budget

HCA Calls State Budget a Win for New York’s Home Health Care System

Home care community applauds $80 million in critical funding restorations

Home Care Association of New York State (HCA) President Joanne Cunningham called the final State Health Care Budget adopted today by the Legislature a "clear show of support for New York's home health care patients and the providers who serve them."

The Budget restores approximately 80 percent of the over $100 million in home health care cuts originally proposed in the 2008-09 Executive Budget.

"By restoring Budget cuts that would have certainly jeopardized services for patients in greatest need, state legislative leaders have made clear their recognition that community-based health care is a vital part of New York's overall health system," Cunningham said.

She added: "State legislative leaders and the Governor faced difficult choices this year. However, today's Budget shows that the priorities of our most vulnerable citizens come first. These funding restorations help ensure that New York's mission-driven providers can continue to care for patients in the most preferred and appropriate setting."

Today's Budget agreement restores $82 million of the cuts originally proposed in the Executive Budget. This includes the rejection of provisions that would have: frozen the home health care Medicaid reimbursement base year at 2005 levels; set lower rate ceilings for vital home care services; reduced funding for Administrative and General (A&G) expenses (which include direct patient care services); omitted essential baseline investments for Upstate and Long Island home health care infrastructure; and reduced funding for personal care services in New York City.

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Committed to the principles of high-quality and cost-effective community based health care, the Home Care Association of New York State (HCA) assists its members on state and federal legislation, regulations and reimbursement issues pertinent to the home health field. As the premier home health care association in New York State, HCA represents more than 400 home health care providers, individuals and associate members who collectively provide service and support to thousands of New Yorkers.