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BRONX TIMES REPORTER, APRIL 1-7, 2022
BXR
opinion-editorial
Protecting New York’s Medicaid members, preserving our community
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BY LISA SORIN
More than 5.5 million New Yorkers rely
on Medicaid managed care health plans
for their care. Many of these members are
among the state’s most at-risk residents,
with multiple health conditions that require
coordination of numerous services.
This includes both physical health and
mental health care, long-term services
and supports, as well as help coordinating
social services, such as housing, employment,
education and food access.
As we rapidly approach the April 1 start
of a new fiscal year, I am concerned about a
provision in the governor’s proposed state
budget that could reduce the number of
health plans in the Medicaid program –
allowing no fewer than two, but no more
than five in each region of the state. In the
Bronx, there are more than 709,000 residents
enrolled in seven Medicaid managed
care plans, and thousands more senior citizens
who are enrolled in managed longterm
care plans. Reducing these plans
to “no more than five” in all of New York
City, will take away choices from citizens
in the Bronx. It would also mean the loss of
thousands of jobs at the health plans that
would be eliminated, and with it, the loss
of longstanding, community partners.
Founded to support the Bronx business
community, the Bronx Chamber of
Commerce is deeply committed to improving
the quality of life for all Bronxites. If
enacted, the procurement proposal will
make it harder for the people in our community
covered by Medicaid to get the
services they need. And it will also impact
our local economy, where many businesses
are still trying to recover from the
havoc caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Small businesses throughout the
Bronx are the backbone of our communities.
Eliminating this many jobs from the
Bronx economy would cause ripple effects
in many neighborhoods, and deal a harsh
blow to businesses eager for recovery.
Minority and underserved populations
were the most disproportionately
affected by the pandemic. After two
years of constant change, people are
tired. We should take care to avoid any
further disruption to these communities.
Our residents want normalcy, and
to be able to take care of their families.
And as a chamber and representative of
the Bronx business community, we are
all eager for economic recovery – not
more hardship.
I thank our legislative leaders in the
Senate and Assembly for removing this
worrisome provision from their onehouse
budget plans. Gov. Hochul has
proven herself to be a leader who is willing
to listen to concerns. I hope this is
the case on this issue, and she will join
the Legislature in removing this proposal
from the final state budget.
Lisa Sorin is president of the Bronx
Chamber of Commerce.
In the Bronx, there are more than 709,000 residents enrolled in seven Medicaid managed care
plans, and thousands more senior citizens who are enrolled in managed long-term care plans.
Photo courtesy Getty Images
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