Lance's Corner

Governor Hochul Highlights National Health Center Week

Aug 4, 2025

Per the notice below, Governor Hochul is highlighting National Health Center Week.

During National Health Center Week, Governor Hochul Joins Western New York Leaders to Sound the Alarm on Washington Republicans’ Devastating Cuts to Health Care

31,388 Will Lose Health Care Coverage in NY-24 Congressional District; 33 Percent Average Monthly Insurance Cost Increase for Certain Couples

‘Big Ugly Bill’ Negative Impact on NY-24 Health Care Funding of $241,200,755; More Than $31,247,472 Cut From Local Hospitals Due to Uncompensated Care Increases Alone

All of New York’s GOP Representatives, Including Rep. Tenney, Supported Cuts

During National Health Center Week, Governor Kathy Hochul today joined elected and community leaders in Western New York to sound the alarm on Washington Republicans’ devastating agenda, including the recently enacted “Big Ugly Bill” that rips away health care coverage from 1.5 million New Yorkers, cutting critical food assistance programs and pushing a disastrous trade war that is hurting small businesses and sending prices skyrocketing.  Republicans’ cuts to health care will result in an estimated 31,388 residents of NY-24 losing their health care coverage, and health care costs increasing 33 percent for the average couple who purchases Marketplace insurance with tax credits.  Republicans also slashed funding to local hospitals and health care services, with NY-24 set to face a total fiscal impact of $241,200,755, with hospitals losing $31,247,472 due to uncompensated care costs alone.

“Washington Republicans slashed health care services for Western New Yorkers to fund tax cuts for their billionaire buddies, and my administration is fighting back using the full weight of New York State,” Governor Hochul said.  “As a mom who raised two kids in Western New York, I understand the affordability crisis facing working families.  These devastating cuts will leave families unable to afford doctors appointments or life-saving treatments — it’s wrong, it’s unacceptable and I’ll fight like hell to protect New Yorkers in harm's way.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “These reckless, unprecedented cuts threaten the health and wellbeing of tens of thousands of New Yorkers.  When families lose access to care and hospitals lose critical funding, everyone suffers.  During National Health Center Week, we should be expanding access, not dismantling it.  I thank Governor Hochul for consistently standing up for New Yorkers and protecting the essential health services they need and deserve.”

Audio 

By the Numbers: Republicans Slash Health Care for Western New Yorkers

Total Newly Uninsured in District: 31,388

  • Individuals Losing Medicaid and Becoming Uninsured: 27,253 Individuals
  • Losing Essential Plan and Becoming Uninsured: 4,135 

Total District Fiscal Impact: -$241,200,755

  • Lost Essential Plan Funding: -$139,523,029
  • Lost Federal Medicaid Funding and New State Medicaid Costs: -$101,677,726 

District Hospital Impact: -$31,247,472

  • Hospital Impact of Essential Plan Cuts: -$11,949,091
  • Hospital Impact of Medicaid Cuts: -$19,298,381 

Average Monthly Cost Increase for Marketplace Insurance for Those Receiving Premium Tax Credits

  • Average Monthly Cost Increase for Couple ($): $259
  • Average Monthly Cost Increase for Couple (%): 33 percent 

District hospital impacts are based solely on increased uncompensated care costs attributable to newly uninsured New Yorkers — actual hospital losses may be significantly higher due to likely additional impacts of federal Medicaid cuts. 

"Washington Republicans slashed health care services for Western New Yorkers to fund tax cuts for their billionaire buddies, and my administration is fighting back using the full weight of New York State.”

Governor Kathy Hochul 

Essential Plan/Medicaid Cuts

Republicans’ cuts to health care and other benefits will hurt all New Yorkers.  The changes will eliminate insurance coverage for millions of New Yorkers, destabilize health insurance programs statewide, and have an overall fiscal impact on the State and the New York health care system of almost $13 billion per year.  These changes will make it harder for providers statewide to keep operating and make it more difficult for all New Yorkers to find care when they need it.

  • More than 2 million New Yorkers could lose their current insurance coverage, including approximately 730,000 individuals who could lose Essential Plan (EP) coverage as more than half of EP's budget — $7.5 billion in federal funding — is eliminated, and a further 1.3 million New Yorkers who will lose Medicaid coverage due to new eligibility and verification hurdles.
  • Of these 2 million people, 1.5 million New Yorkers are anticipated to become uninsured, with uncompensated care costs to hospitals and providers estimated to rise to more than $3 billion annually — which means less access to care and higher medical bills for New Yorkers.
  • Analysis from the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) and the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) estimates a total $8 billion in annual cuts to New York’s hospitals and health systems, which 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 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.

Representative Tim Kennedy said, “This Big Ugly Law is an assault on working families by Trump and Congressional Republicans, who are gutting healthcare to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires.  These cruel cuts rip health insurance coverage away from our neighbors, drive up costs for families already struggling to get by, and force our hospitals to make impossible choices.  As an occupational therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating it is when people can’t access the care they need – and I will not stop fighting to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.  I’m proud to stand with Governor Hochul and my partners in government to defend the right to affordable, quality healthcare and demand that Congressional Republicans Cancel the Cuts.”

Assemblymember Bill Conrad said, “There is of course nothing 'beautiful' about this reckless bill.  Its devastation threatens the very lives of our most vulnerable neighbors and loved ones.  Cuts this broad to healthcare are not only short-sighted, they're senseless and cruel, considering the impacts on our working-class families, children, and seniors, and our hospitals, health services, and long-term care facilities.  I proudly stand with Governor Hochul and New York State's leadership in condemning the hurtful, harmful agenda of the Republican Majority in Washington.”

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “At a time when New Yorkers are still recovering from recent economic and public health crises, Republicans have chosen to gut the very systems that keep our families healthy and our communities strong.  These devastating health care cuts will rip coverage away from 1.5 million New Yorkers.  They will drive up premiums by more than 30 percent and strip our hospitals of over $30 million in critical funding, forcing them to absorb the cost of care for patients with nowhere else to turn.  While they slash health care and food assistance to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, Republicans want the rest of us to pick up the pieces.  During National Health Center Week, we must make it clear: access to health care is a right, not a privilege, and we will not sit down while it is torn away from our neighbors.”

Niagara-Orleans Labor Council President Jim Briggs said, “This bill is big and beautiful if you are a billionaire.  For the rest of us it is a big and ugly hurt, especially for those who struggle the most.  As president of the Niagara-Orleans Central Labor Council and a labor leader for 30 years with the United Steel Workers, I joined with my brothers and sisters to work on legislation to improve the lives of working men and women.  This bill rolls back those hard fought gains as it reduces environmental protections, reduces food assistance, reduces support for health care, reduces jobs in the energy sector.  This bill reminds us elections have consequences and now we all pay the price - higher prices and higher deficits.  But, alongside Governor Hochul and Congressman Kennedy, we will never stop fighting for families and our future.”

Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. CEO and Executive Director Dr. LaVonne Ansari, PhD said, “Access to quality healthcare is essential for every New Yorker.  I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her swift action and leadership in protecting people from the long-term impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.  Families in both rural and urban communities depend on community health centers for primary care, preventive services, and lifelong support.  Her leadership helps protect the well-being of our communities — not just now, but for generations to come.”

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