Political Action 

  Supporting Documents

Health Care Support

  Health Care Budget Issues

This year, health care funding was the centerpiece of the budget negotiations. County executives across the state complained loudly about high Medicaid costs and demanded reform. The Health Care Reform Act (HCRA), which funds the vast majority of health care facilities in the state, was set to expire.

Since thousands of state and county jobs for CSEA members are directly funded by nursing home aid, Medicaid and HCRA, CSEA was at the forefront of the health care issue.

MEDICAID REFORM

The legislature and Governor agreed to cap county Medicaid increases as shown below. The state will be responsible for increases over the amount of the cap.
 

Each year thereafter, counties pay the 2005 base rate +9.75%, plus 3% yearly increases. In 2008, counties will have the option of continuing their contribution in this fashion or opting for a partial state Medicaid takeover in exchange for a portion of county sales taxes.

The state takeover of Medicaid increases will help to protect other county services from cutbacks when Medicaid costs rise and will also help ease the burden on county property taxpayers. Local implementation of the Medicaid program will continue as it always has and all employees will maintain their current employment status.

Increased State Aid for Public & Private Nursing Homes

The legislature initially agreed to spend $80 million for upstate private sector nursing homes only. CSEA's activists and staff lobbied the Governor, Senate and Assembly to withdraw the plan and to include public sector facilities that have been financially strapped as well.

By the end of session, the Governor and legislature could not agree on overall aid for public and private nursing homes. The legislature is expected to return later this year and the issue is still being worked on.

Thanks to CSEA activism, the issue of helping public nursing homes is at the forefront of health care spending talks and CSEA remains at the bargaining table with elected officials as well as other affected unions and groups.

Nursing Home Cuts

The Governor's proposed budget included cuts of $221 million for the state's nursing homes. CSEA was successful in lobbying our elected officials to restore the Governor's cuts to nursing homes and protect these services, jobs and other county programs from budget cuts.

Preferred Drug List (PDL)

CSEA supported and initiated a drive to establish a preferred drug list in Medicaid over 3 years ago and this year the Governor and legislature agreed to a PDL. The PDL for Medicaid recipients will save the state and counties millions each year without reducing benefits, slowing the growth of Medicaid costs and easing the burden on county budgets.

Health Care Bonding

CSEA supported passage of $750 million in bonding authority between the Department of Health and the Dormitory Authority to update and improve health care facilities and upgrade health care technology. This money will help health care facilities upgrade and modernize technology to increase their revenues and improve their billing systems to reduce cuts in services, jobs and benefits.

Commission on Health Care Facilities in the Twenty-first Century

In this budget, the legislature and Governor created a Commission to study the state's health care industry on a regional basis. The Commission will make recommendations by the end of 2006 about "right-sizing" the state's hospitals and nursing homes, including possible closures, consolidations or other actions to improve the efficiency and quality of health care. The Commission was created to address issues of over- bedding and under funding of many of our hospitals and nursing homes.

Closure of Middletown Psychiatric Center -OMH

CSEA reached agreement to close the Middletown Psychiatric Center on April 1, 2006 and to use all of the savings from the closure to develop new, state-operated community services. All CSEA employees of the facility will be transitioned into new community services. This closure will result in no layoffs, ensures that the employees will have a job in their industry, that the state will continue to provide mental health

services and that those services will be provided in the immediate area. This sets a precedent for the future closure of state facilities that CSEA will ensure is followed and affords our members a more secure career in providing mental health services.

Health Care Bills

Hospital Infection Reporting
Chapters 284 & 239 of the Laws of 2005
Signed Into Law 7/20/05
S.5086A -Hannon / A.8698A-
Gottfried & S .5855 -Rules / A.8950 -Rules

CSEA supported this bill that requires hospitals
to report on the number, types and causes of
infections contracted by patients after they are
admitted to the hospital. The Department of
Health will set up a reporting system by July I, 2006 and hospitals will need to begin submitting reports no later than January I, 2007.

Safe Patient Handling Demonstration Program
S .4929 A -Maziarz / A. 7 641 A -Gottfried
Passed Both Houses -Awaiting Delivery to
Governor

CSEA supported this bill that creates a pilot project to encourage hospitals and nursing homes to establish a safe-patient handling program, including education and training on proper lifting and care of patients, use of equipment and education about risk factors to reduce worker injures and improve care. This will encourage hospitals and nursing homes to promote safe policies for their employees, help to prevent injuries and improve patient care.