Lance's Corner

Governor Hochul Issues Analysis of Federal Budget Bill Passed By United States Senate

Jul 1, 2025

Per the notice below, Governor Hochul has issued an analysis of the federal budget bill passed by the United States Senate.

By the Numbers: The Republican ‘Big Ugly Bill’ Would Have Devastating Impacts on New York Health Care Providers, Patients, Employees and Communities

$14.4 Billion in Lost Hospital-Generated Economic Activity, Resulting From $8 Billion in Cuts Targeting New York Hospitals and Health Systems

65,000 Jobs Lost Due to Cuts to Hospitals and Community Health Centers Serving Low Income New Yorkers

1.5 Million New Yorkers Will Lose Health Care Coverage

Yale/Penn Study Estimates Cuts Could Result in 51,000 Preventable Deaths Annually Nationwide — Making GOP Bill a Top Ten Cause of Death in U.S.

Statewide and Community-Level Breakdowns of Anticipated Health Care Impacts Available Here and Economic Impact Available Here

As the Senate voted to pass the Trump Administration and Washington Republicans’ “Big Ugly Bill,” Governor Kathy Hochul today sounded the alarm about the potential devastating consequences of the Bill on New York hospitals, health systems, and patients statewide.  These reckless cuts to Medicaid and the Essential Plan will significantly impact health care providers across the State, endangering the health and finances of many New Yorkers who rely on these providers.

“I’ve said it several times and I’ll say it again today — all New Yorkers deserve access to high-quality health care, it’s that simple,” Governor Hochul said.  “Republicans in Washington, including seven representing New York, are trying to rip away this basic human right from New Yorkers and I will not stand by and watch it happen, I’m standing up for our hardworking hospitals and families who rely on this care to survive.”

Hospitals and other health care providers across New York rely on Medicaid and Essential Plan funding to provide needed care to patients and maintain their operations.  Analysis from the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) and the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) estimates a total $8 billion in cuts to New York’s hospitals and health systems alone.  Hospitals and health systems play a vital role in driving local economies.  They often serve as the largest employers in their communities, creating numerous other jobs and ranking among the top 10 private employers in every region of New York.  When hospitals are stronger, their communities thrive.  GNYHA and HANYS estimate that the hospital cuts will lead to 34,000 lost hospital jobs and an additional 29,000 lost related jobs, and create a cumulative $14.4 billion in lost hospital-generated economic activity, devastating communities across New York.  Unfortunately, many New York hospitals are already financially distressed.  The collective impact of the GOP reconciliation bill in Washington, D.C., could force hospitals to curtail critically needed services such as maternity care and psychiatric treatment, not to mention to downsize operations, and even close entirely.  These impacts will be devastating across the State, and especially in rural communities.  These consequences will not only affect Medicaid enrollees, but also harm everyone who requires hospital care, leading to longer wait times and less access to critical services.

In addition to hospitals, every kind of health care provider in New York State will be impacted.  The Community Health Care Association of New York State estimates a direct loss of $300M for the State’s Community Health Centers, resulting in almost 2,000 layoffs.  Community Health Centers are a vital lifeline that provide care to one in eight New Yorkers, regardless of their ability to pay.  In June, a letter signed by Yale and University of Pennsylvania scientists warned that more than 51,000 preventable deaths could occur annually if the provisions in the House-passed budget reconciliation bill are enacted.  The letter, addressed to Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Bernie Sanders, estimates the potential nationwide death toll that would result from the bill’s provisions including restricting Medicaid and Affordable Care Act coverage, repealing nursing home staffing regulations, and allowing Enhanced Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credits to expire.  These estimates would make the GOP bill a top ten cause of death in the United States, on par with kidney disease and liver disease.

Estimated Impact of Hospital Cuts by New York Economic Region

Member Hospital employment losses Total employment losses Lost economic activity ($)
New York City 17,551 32,571 (7,405,661,000)
Long Island 3,514 6,521 (1,482,704,000)
Mid-Hudson 3,623 6,723 (1,528,578,000)
Capital District 1,042 1,933 (439,512,000)
North Country 759 1,409 (320,385,000)
Mohawk Valley 774 1,437 (326,619,000)
Southern Tier 856 1,588 (360,983,000)
Central New York 1,355 2,515 (571,928,000)
Finger Lakes 2,442 4,532 (1,030,506,000)
Western New York 2,130 3,954 (898,943,000)
Statewide total 34,047 63,183 (14,365,818,000)


Estimated Impact of Hospital Cuts by Congressional District

District Member Hospital employment losses Total employment losses Lost economic activity ($)
1 Nick LaLota (R) 976 1,811 (411,868,000)
2 Andrew R. Garbarino (R) 605 1,122 (255,206,000)
3 Thomas R. Suozzi (D) 1,927 3,576 (812,998,000)
4 Laura Gillen (D) 933 1,731 (393,628,000)
5 Gregory W. Meeks (D) 563 1,045 (237,515,000)
6 Grace Meng (D) 1,876 3,481 (791,359,000)
7 Nydia M. Velázquez (D) 862 1,599 (363,593,000)
8 Hakeem S. Jeffries (D) 790 1,466 (333,226,000)
9 Yvette D. Clarke (D) 1,178 2,187 (497,231,000)
10 Daniel S. Goldman (D) 1,457 2,705 (614,953,000)
11 Nicole Malliotakis (R) 654 1,213 (275,762,000)
12 Jerrold Nadler (D) 2,803 5,201 (1,182,612,000)
13 Adriano Espaillat (D) 2,520 4,677 (1,063,292,000)
14 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) 980 1,819 (413,640,000)
15 Ritchie Torres (D) 2,942 5,460 (1,241,482,000)
16 George Latimer (D) 1,278 2,372 (539,332,000)
17 Michael Lawler (R) 1,462 2,713 (616,822,000)
18 Patrick Ryan (D) 810 1,503 (341,631,000)
19 Josh Riley (D) 797 1,479 (336,292,000)
20 Paul Tonko (D) 1,002 1,860 (422,977,000)
21 Elise M. Stefanik (R) 871 1,616 (367,481,000)
22 John W. Mannion (D) 1,536 2,850 (648,033,000)
23 Nicholas A. Langworthy (R) 759 1,409 (320,347,000)
24 Claudia Tenney (R) 1,009 1,873 (425,748,000)
25 Joseph D. Morelle (D) 1,899 3,524 (801,274,000)
26 Timothy M. Kennedy (D) 1,558 2,892 (657,525,000)
Statewide total 34,047 63,183 (14,365,818,000)


Greater New York Hospital Association President Kenneth E. Raske said, “This bill’s massive Medicaid cuts and health insurance eligibility restrictions will do enormous damage to New York State and its hospitals.  The numbers are hard to comprehend—an estimated $8 billion cut to our hospitals, 34,000 lost hospital jobs and 1.5 million individuals losing their health insurance.  Some financially fragile institutions will cease to exist.  All patients will be impacted.  There is no rationale for this.  The bill is a clear example of ‘if you break it, you own it.’  I am grateful to Governor Hochul for defending New York’s hospitals and the patients we serve, and the entire hospital community is proud to stand with her in opposing this terrible bill.”

Healthcare Association of New York State President Bea Grause, RN, JD. said, “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a reckless assault on our healthcare system and our local economies, as evidenced by these projections.  Lost coverage, care, jobs – it is astonishing to me that there is such determination to put so many people’s health and financial security at risk.  This bill will not only harm individual New Yorkers.  Its impact will ripple out to their families and communities, leaving almost no one untouched in its wake.”

Community Health Care Association of New York State President & CEO Rose Duhan said, “New York’s Community Health Centers provide access to primary and preventive care that keep people healthy and save money.  Cutting Medicaid will put that care at risk for 2.4 million people across the State.  Losing Medicaid will mean communities will lose CHCs that provide primary care, behavioral health, dental services, and more.  Cuts of this magnitude will force impossible choices: reduce services, scale back hours, or turn patients away.  Congress must protect Medicaid and the patients and health centers that depend on it.”

USDOL Issues Comprehensive Employer Guidance on Long COVID

The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) has issued a comprehensive set of resources that can be accessed below for employers on dealing with Long COVID.

Supporting Employees with Long COVID: A Guide for Employers

The “Supporting Employees with Long COVID” guide from the USDOL-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) and Job Accommodation Network (JAN) addresses the basics of Long COVID, including its intersection with mental health, and common workplace supports for different symptoms.  It also explores employers’ responsibilities to provide reasonable accommodations and answers frequently asked questions about Long COVID and employment, including inquiries related to telework and leave.

Download the guide

Accommodation and Compliance: Long COVID

The Long COVID Accommodation and Compliance webpage from the USDOL-funded Job Accommodation Network (JAN) helps employers and employees understand strategies for supporting workers with Long COVID.  Topics include Long COVID in the context of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), specific accommodation ideas based on limitations or work-related functions, common situations and solutions, and questions to consider when identifying effective accommodations for employees with Long COVID.  Find this and other Long COVID resources from JAN, below:

Long COVID, Disability and Underserved Communities: Recommendations for Employers

The research-to-practice brief “Long COVID, Disability and Underserved Communities” synthesizes an extensive review of documents, literature and data sources, conducted by the USDOL-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) on the impact of Long COVID on employment, with a focus on demographic differences.  It also outlines recommended actions organizations can take to create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture for people with Long COVID, especially those with disabilities who belong to other historically underserved groups.

Read the brief

Long COVID and Disability Accommodations in the Workplace

The policy brief “Long COVID and Disability Accommodations in the Workplace” explores Long COVID’s impact on the workforce and provides examples of policy actions different states are taking to help affected people remain at work or return when ready.  It was developed by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) as part of its involvement in USDOL’s State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED) initiative.

Download the policy brief

Understanding and Addressing the Workplace Challenges Related to Long COVID

The report “Understanding and Addressing the Workplace Challenges Related to Long COVID” summarizes key themes and takeaways from an ePolicyWorks national online dialogue through which members of the public were invited to share their experiences and insights regarding workplace challenges posed by Long COVID.  The dialogue took place during summer 2022 and was hosted by USDOL and its agencies in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Surgeon General.

Download the report

Working with Long COVID

The USDOL-published “Working with Long COVID” fact sheet shares strategies for supporting workers with Long COVID, including accommodations for common symptoms and resources for further guidance and assistance with specific situations.

Download the fact sheet

COVID-19: Long-Term Symptoms

This USDOL motion graphic informs workers with Long COVID that they may be entitled to temporary or long-term supports to help them stay on the job or return to work when ready, and shares where they can find related assistance.

Watch the motion graphic

A Personal Story of Long COVID and Disability Disclosure

In the podcast “A Personal Story of Long COVID and Disability Disclosure,” Pam Bingham, senior program manager for Intuit’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Tech team, shares her personal experience of navigating Long COVID symptoms at work.  The segment was produced by the USDOL-funded Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT) as part of its ongoing “Future of Work” podcast series.

Listen to the podcast

HHS OIG Issues Annual Report on State MFCUs

Per the notice below, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued its annual report on the performance of state Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs).

Medicaid Fraud Control Units Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report (OEI-09-24-00200) 

Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs) investigate and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud and patient abuse or neglect. OIG is the Federal agency that oversees and annually approves federal funding for MFCUs through a recertification process. This new report analyzed the statistical data on annual case outcomes—such as convictions, civil settlements and judgments, and recoveries—that the 53 MFCUs submitted for Fiscal Year 2023.  New York data is as follows:

Outcomes

  • Investigations1 - 556
  • Indicted/Charged - 9
  • Convictions - 8
  • Civil Settlements/Judgments - 28
  • Recoveries2 - $73,204,518

Resources

  • MFCU Expenditures3 - $55,964,293
  • Staff on Board4 - 257

1Investigations are defined as the total number of open investigations at the end of the fiscal year.

2Recoveries are defined as the amount of money that defendants are required to pay as a result of a settlement, judgment, or prefiling settlement in criminal and civil cases and may not reflect actual collections.  Recoveries may involve cases that include participation by other Federal and State agencies.

3MFCU and Medicaid Expenditures include both State and Federal expenditures.

4Staff on Board is defined as the total number of staff employed by the Unit at the end of the fiscal year.

Read the Full Report

View the Statistical Chart

Engage with the Interactive Map

GAO Issues Report on Medicaid Managed Care Service Denials and Appeal Outcomes

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes.  GAO found that federal oversight is limited because it doesn't require states to report on Medicaid managed care service denials or appeal outcomes and there has not been much progress on plans to analyze and make the data publicly available.  To read the GAO report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes, use the first link below.  To read GAO highlights of the report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes, use the second link below.
https://www.gao.gov/assets/d24106627.pdf  (GAO report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes)
https://www.gao.gov/assets/d24106627_high.pdf  (GAO highlights on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes)

CMS Issues Latest Medicare Regulatory Activities Update

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its latest update on its regulatory activities in the Medicare program.  While dentistry is only minimally connected to the Medicare program, Medicare drives the majority of health care policies and insurance reimbursement policies throughout the country.  Therefore, it always pays to keep a close eye on what CMS is doing in Medicare.  To read the latest CMS update on its regulatory activities in Medicare, use the link below.
https://www.cms.gov/training-education/medicare-learning-network/newsletter/2024-03-14-mlnc