Governor Pataki Proposes
Medicaid Buy-In Program
ALBANY, January 3, 2001.
This year's 2001-02 Executive Budget includes a plan
to provide a Medicaid Buy-In to New Yorkers with disabilities. The Governor's
proposal would break down a major barrier for an estimated 19,000 people with
disabilities to achieve success in the workplace by expanding Medicaid
eligibility to these individuals. "Under my Budget proposal, New Yorkers with
disabilities would no longer have to choose between going to work or having
health insurance," Governor Pataki said. "By expanding Medicaid, the working
disabled will be able to pursue new or better employment opportunities without
losing their health care coverage." The Budget would expand Medicaid
eligibility to all disabled individuals with incomes up to 250 percent of the
Federal SSI poverty level, matching California's program and ten other states.
This would include New Yorkers with disabilities
with annual incomes up to approximately $44,000 for singles and $58,000 for
couples. Also, participants will be able to keep more of their personal
resources than other Medicaid recipients, and still meet the income
requirements for eligibility. The program includes a sliding scale of premiums
for recipients with incomes substantially above the poverty level. Premiums
will be very affordable, ranging from an estimated $50 to $130 per month. The
program is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2002, and will be fully phased-in
by 2004. The total program cost is expected to be approximately $90 million.
Disability rights advocates were pleased with the Governor's leadership on the
issue. I'm thrilled,'' said Sue Meineker, benefits advisor for the Capital
District Center for Independence. "I know two people with master's degrees who
are ready to go to work right now but haven't because they don't want to lose
their benefits.'' Differences between the Governor's proposal and the
Legislature's "Work and Wellness Act" will have to be worked out during budget
negotiations. |
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Assembly Passes
Enhanced
"Work and
Wellness Act"
ALBANY, February 27, 2001.
As promised at the end of last session,
Speaker Sheldon Silver made the passage of a Medicaid Buy-In program an early
priority for 2001.
Introduced by Assemblyman James Brennan, the
"Work and Wellness Act" passed unanimously this week. The 2001 version of the
bill allows for the participation of individuals above 400% of the Federal
Poverty Level. This enhancement will effectively remove the ceiling and permit
people with disabilities with earnings above $68,000 to enroll in the program
by paying the full premium, which is estimated at $3,800 to $4,000 per year.
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