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Memo In Opposition

S. 4008  - Rath
S.3295 / A. 4677  - Rath / Schimminger
S.3292 / A.4676 – Rath / Schimminger

The National Association of Social Workers – New York State Chapter opposes the following package of bills…

S.4008 - An act to amend the Social Services Law in relation to eligibility limitations on certain medical services not mandated by federal law.

S. 3295 / A.4677 – An act to amend the Social Services Law in relation to authorizing local social services districts to choose which state but not federally-required Medicaid services to provide and categories of eligibility to cover.

S.3292 / A.4676 – An act to amend the Social Services Law in relation to Medicaid co-payments for prescription drugs and services.

By definition, Medicaid is a health insurance program for individuals and families with low incomes and resources.  Scaling back on the benefits provided, tightening eligibility requirements and imposing co-payments on services and prescription drugs serves only to undermine the health care needs of thousands of our most vulnerable citizens.

While NASW-NYS understands the desire to stem the rising costs of Medicaid, the above-mentioned bills attack individual recipients of Medicaid as opposed to the problem - increasing healthcare costs across both the private and public sector.  Tightening eligibility requirements for our elderly, poor children and disabled populations is not a viable or economically sound solution.  Such practices, coupled with the imposition of co-payments on Medicaid services may very well deter individuals from seeking necessary medical care, thus leading to more significant and costlier healthcare needs. 

NASW-NYS contends that each of our citizens have a right to affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare, and therefore opposes S.4008, S. 3295 / A.4677, and S.3292 / A.4676.