About 8 million New Yorkers are enrolled in Medicaid. The erroneous policies that are going into effect on April 1st will cause them unnecessary suffering. And this change will not only affect the poor. When it comes into effect, many New Yorkers, including the middle class, can expect higher taxes and a less effective health care system.
New York State wants to control how people access prescription drugs, which undermines a federal program called 340B. Pharmaceutical companies that now do business with Medicaid are offering significant discounts to community health centers, which can get drug reimbursement at higher rates. This system enables these centers to generate revenue and provide low-cost prescription drugs to consumers. Hundreds of community health centers across the state regularly use her $340 billion program savings to improve services without compromising financial stability.
But the state is about take over We have committed to financially perfecting the local health centers for the purchase of prescriptions and the loss of savings of 340B. TRUE? How will that money be distributed? it is not explained. In California, which implemented a similar plan in January, not yet distributed Money to health centers other than hospitals.
This shell game causes a serious budget shortfall for the New York Center. Clinic hours are reduced because there are fewer dentists, doctors, pharmacists, outreach and support staff. Mortality and morbidity increase.
Less care at community health centers means more emergency room use. Understaffed without benefiting from savings on prescription drugs, centers are forced to turn away those in need.In 2022, her average cost of an ER visit in New York State will cost her $1,668. was. Care provided at community health centers is a fraction of the cost.
As the CEO of a health center serving more than 20,000 patients in Schenectady and Montgomery counties, I know that this plan will irreparably harm our local health centers and health care delivery statewide. afraid of Fortunately, some legislators are calling for its repeal. Congress must act quickly, but it’s not too late to stop this obvious and preventable mistake.
Joseph Gambino is CEO of Schenectady and Hometown Health Center Amsterdam.
