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Collins says New York provision to Medicaid funding included in Senate version of healthcare insurance bill

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today hailed the inclusion of his amendment to the House passed American Health Care Act into the Senate version of the bill. The amendment, introduced with Congressman John Faso (NY-19), would require New York State to take over the county portion of Medicaid by 2020 and would provide the largest property tax reduction ever to Western New York.
 
“This was a long fought battle against the injustice in Albany and is a big victory for taxpayers,” Congressman Collins said.
 
Federal law now permits states to share some of their costs with local governments, but New York is the only state that has imposed this level of burden on property taxpayers. Counties currently have no say in how local revenues are spent on Medicaid; they’re simply required to foot part of Albany’s bill. Local state leaders agreed that the inclusion of the amendment is important and welcome news for Western New York residents.
 
"Mandate relief has been talked about in Albany for as long as anyone can remember - it certainly wasn't new when I was talking about it as mayor. It's not a headline-grabbing or attractive issue, so meaningful proposals on mandate relief are generally swept aside. But I can tell you that it's real. It's real for the local governments who deal with tight budgets and it's real for taxpayers who pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation. I applaud Congressman Collins for bringing this issue to the forefront. Ideally, this would have been a serious discussion at the state level, but having failed that, I'm pleased that we could possibly address the crippling burden placed on our local governments as part of larger, federal health care discussions,” said State Senator Ortt.
 
“As a long-time supporter of curbing the costs of Medicaid, which would take a heavy burden off of local governments, I am proud to support Congressman Collins’ amendment. The impact on my assembly district and local taxpayers will be tremendous with estimated tax reductions of 49 percent in Orleans County and 35 percent in Genesee County. It is clear that New York’s outrageous Medicaid spending is one of the driving forces behind property and school tax increases and it is time for government to take that burden off our residents’ backs,” said Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
 
"Western New Yorkers pay some of the highest property taxes in the state. Rep. Collins' amendment fixes this problem and protects upstate taxpayers from Albany’s unfunded mandates. Removing the unfunded county Medicaid mandate is key to reducing local property taxes and growing our economy,” said Assemblyman Ray Walter. 
 
"This amendment is a blessing for upstate families, small businesses, and farms that’ve been crushed by the high taxes and unfunded mandates coming from Albany. The inclusion of this amendment is a win for our towns and villages and I appreciate Rep. Collins efforts to stand up for our taxpayers,” said Assemblyman Joseph Errigo.   
 
"I'm pleased that the Senate has included Rep. Collins's amendment in the healthcare reform bill. This promises real relief for property taxpayers in communities like Niagara County, and holds state government accountable to fund their mandates instead of passing on costs to the local level. Americans deserve access to the best healthcare possible, but it shouldn't fall to just homeowners to fund the system,” said Niagara County Legislature Chairman Wm. Keith McNall.
 
"Congressman Collins' Medicaid proposal will provide historic “real” property tax relief for hardworking local taxpayers. Currently over 30 perfect of the Ontario County property tax levy currently goes towards paying for New York's unfunded Medicaid mandate. I look forward to working with Rep. Collins and the members of the Board of Supervisors as we continue our efforts to reduce the burden on hardworking taxpayers in our community," said Jack Marren, Chairman of the Ontario County Board of Supervisors. 
 
"This is an important step forward in our fight to reduce unfunded mandates and protect local taxpayers. This measure will reduce local property taxes and help ensure that our seniors can afford to stay in their homes," said Bob Green, Vice Chairman of the Ontario County Board of Supervisors.
 
“We as a board supported a resolution in support of this measure because protecting property taxpayers is one of our prime concerns. This legislation will reduce an unfunded state mandate and help us deliver real tax relief to local homeowners,” said Eric Gott, Chairman, Livingston County Board of Supervisors.  
 
“We appreciate Rep. Collins efforts to relieve the counties of this extraordinary unfunded mandate. This will be a tremendous relief to local county property taxpayers and will allow us to invest in our infrastructure and other county services,” said Raymond Cianfrini, Chairman, Genesee County Legislature.  
 
“For years counties in New York have decried the use of property taxes to fund New York State’s expansive Medicaid program. We are optimistic that changes at the federal level can result in real, substantive, positive changes to the bottom line for county property taxpayers,” said David B. Callard, Chairman, Orleans County Legislature.
 
The Senate is expected to vote next week on their version of the Obamacare repeal bill.
Cheryl Wilmet

Please let me know opinions on my way of thinking. Albany covers Medicaid and the county taxes go down. Homeowners benefit from lower taxes but my landlord won't lower my rent. He likes making money like everyone else. I don't benefit there. Money for Medicaid will come from a different statewide tax. We pay that whatever it may be. With the AHCA Medicaid will eventually turn to all state funded. We need to figure out a way to fund lower income people so they have health insurance coverage because if we have no Medicaid people will just go to the hospital for all their care and won't be able to pay their bills. Hospitals can close. Now think about the mentality of health care companies, they won't lower the cost of their policies no matter what they say will happen with the AHCA. From what I have read, unless we make at least $80,000 or more we won't get a tax credit to help with the cost of our health plans. Now I currently don't consider myself as low income but with the AHCA my rent won't be lowered with less property tax and I will have to pay a state tax to help cover Medicaid. I will be paying a lot for health insurance but I don't have no idea how much because I have a few preexisting conditions. I probably won't get a tax credit to help with the cost. Hospitals will close due to all without insurance so we can travel to Buffalo or Rochester when we need a hospital. This is all part of our future. I agree things need to change but I don't think the AHCA is the answer. The ACA seems to me to be the lesser of 2 evils. People need to read the proposals in the AHCA to see what they are hiding.

Jun 24, 2017, 3:06pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

I think when its all said and done,Obamacare will look like gold,but once again our elected officials are only looking out for their wealthy pals,you know,the ones who donate lots of money.Put health care in a store front and let the consumers chose their own health care packege,get the government out of it,get the employers out of it,and let people make their own damn decisisons.The whole health care industry is as crooked as a politician.Its so ridiculous that I may have health insurance through my spouses employer,so I don't need it from my employer,but don't get any compensation for not costing my employer the cost of the premiums.Pay employees the same,let people shop for their own health care,and if a person goes to the hospital and doesn't pay,put them in jail for theft of services,because thats what it is.This whole healthcare industry is so ripe for corrupt people to get rich,it sickens me.

Jun 24, 2017, 3:27pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

The biggest problem I see is abuse.I knew a family recieving public assistance for years,and everytime they got a little sniffle,they go to the ER.Working people with health ins. don't do that,why,because we have co pays to consider.The mother was getting benefits for her daughter for almost 5 years,when the daughter wasn't even living in the household for that time frame.I notified social services of this,and they didn't even look into it.The same daughter attempted to obtain 2 obama phones,using her maiden name,and her married name.We need to put a time cap,and a monetary cap on this,just like we do with working people.Something has to be done to stop this crap and get these societal leaches out of our wallets.Lets face it,we make laws because of the actions of a few,lets do the same here.

Jun 25, 2017, 11:48am Permalink
Julie Morales

Wow, Frank, you knew all about this leachy family for at least five years, yet did nothing about it? Why didn’t you turn her and her daughter in? Did you attempt to express some compassion and explain to them what they were doing was wrong, maybe suggest they quit it before they get caught? Do you have proof of this leachy behavior, or just vague anecdotes? Who are you to say anyone but yourself isn’t sick enough to see a doctor? You’re usually on here crusading for the little guy, or maybe just when the little guy is you.

Maybe take a good long look at the PROVIDERS, who tack on services that were never performed, the cost of a friggin cell phone is nothing compared to what health care providers can and DO steal from you.

Jun 25, 2017, 3:18pm Permalink
Brian Graz

Feel Good Legislation...
This is nothing more than shifting the tax burden to the Federal Tax levy, away from State/Local. But if the tyrant Andrew has his way the State will impose a new tax in place of the local tax relief brought by the Collins initiative. So what's the end-game sum?

Bottom line is; the GOP Bill to replace Obamacare, SUCKS just as bad! AHCA is NO better than ACA... they both provide for healthcare insurance companies to rape multi-Billions $$ of outrageous profits... money which SHOULD be being used to pay for healthcare... NOT Millionaire's portfolios and pensions.

WE ALL BETTER BE VERY THANKFUL TO SENATORS Dr. RAND PAUL, MIKE LEE, RON JOHNSON, AND TED CRUZ FOR THEIR STEWARDSHIP OVER GETTING "REAL" HEALTHCARE REFORM. {The rest of the GOP has it's head up their rear-end as usual.}

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/339123-rand-paul-insurance-should-…

Jun 25, 2017, 3:42pm Permalink
daniel cherry

I think they should start auditing the amounts hospitals charge.Like 10$ for an aspirin.Charging separately for each custom molded shoe i received after i lost my great toe.Cause i don't have diabetes.How bout stop importing people from other counties for rehab and aftercare here?GCASA eats up more medicaid than any hospital.And horizon.And if people don't want help why make them go?It ruins it for those who do.

If they cut people like myself and many others with pre existing conditions we will suffer.ERs will be even more overcrowded.And it will cost more then.Cause ers cant turn you away.

If you have a major medical problem you have to go to a city anyhow the way this hospital is.I don't go there for sniffles.

IF it goes through and i hope not people will die.Its hard to get care now.People will suffer.And only the above middle class rich will prosper as always.

Jun 25, 2017, 6:41pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Julie. When you wrote, "Wow, Frank, you knew all about this leachy family for at least five years, yet did nothing about it? Why didn’t you turn her and her daughter in?", it got me to wondering if you had read Frank's whole comment.

Or, did you miss the part where he wrote, "I notified social services of this,and they didn't even look into it."?

Just wondering.

People abuse "the system" every day. No, not "everyone", but, enough to make it a good idea to look into finding ways to curtail the abuse. Read the story from http://eheadlines.com/just-in-alabama-just-cut-welfare-by-85-by-making-…

Taxpayers are fed up with handing out free rides to those that don't need it. The swamp has way too much goop in it, and needs to be drained.

Jun 25, 2017, 6:55pm Permalink
Tim Miller

Frank - don't you mean "Bush Phone"? The program that allowed for poor to get cell phones was voted on during the GW Bush administration, and signed by President Bush.

One should give credit where credit is due.

Jun 26, 2017, 9:22am Permalink
Jeffery White

I'll believe a property tax reduction when I see it. When's the last time any government actually returned the full burden? Laughable, best we'll get is a shift in that money to other county services, maybe we'll get a portion of it back.

Then comes the NYS tax increase to actually cover the costs, Medicaid isn't going anywhere...

Jun 26, 2017, 9:48am Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Tim,nobody gives bush credit for those phones,and with the exception of yourself,I have never heard them called bush phones by anyone.Thanks for the correction though.

Jun 26, 2017, 4:49pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Julie,given your reading comprehension skills,or lack there of,why don't you take a walk in some deep woods,follow the signs,and that should save me the trouble of telling you to get lost.

Jun 26, 2017, 6:20pm Permalink
Tim Miller

Frank - to say I was not a fan of the younger Bush is an understatement...but that does not mean that he is not due credit for the good things he did. Signing that bill that allowed for poor people to get cell phones for emergencies and necessary use in a world where access to a cell phone could very well mean the difference between getting a job and not getting a job was one of his good things. (Wow - sorry about the run-on sentence there)

Jun 27, 2017, 10:01am Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Tim,I'm not disputing who started the freebie phones,like I said,I have never heard of them called anything but obama phones,by a lot of people.So I guess a lot of people give credit to the wrong guy.It makes no never mind to me.

Jun 27, 2017, 5:11pm Permalink

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