Controversial measure added to Republican health care bill to lure New York votes
WASHINGTON — Hoping to win support from upstate New York Republicans, House leaders late on Monday added a controversial proposal to their health care bill that would bar New York state from taking money from county governments to repay federal Medicaid costs.
The provision by GOP Rep. Chris Collins would apply to the $2.3 billion raised from counties outside New York City, which Collins says is critical for Western New York. Collins, a former Erie County executive, introduced the measure with the help of Rep. John Faso.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a blistering statement against it Monday, blaming Collins and Faso for creating a “death trap” that will devastate most hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities in upstate New York and on Long Island. There is no way to make up the shortfall, he said.
New Yorkers will remember,” Cuomo said. “The bill for Congressman Collins and Faso’s rabid conservative zealotry will be paid by Upstate New York’s hard-working families, and those families will know exactly who to thank.”
Inclusion of the provision, backed by New York county officials, was key to securing support for the overall bill from several upstate New York GOP delegation members, according to Collins’ office.
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Firing back, Collins spokesman Michael McAdams said Cuomo’s support of Obamacare is what put New York taxpayers in a bind.
“Congressman Collins has never been prouder to stand with the hardworking families of New York who will benefit from the Governor Cuomo-induced fiscal nightmare ending once and for all,” he said in a statement.
The provision is one of many modifications intended to shore up support among both conservatives and moderates for legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act before the House votes Thursday. It was written so that New York is the only state impacted by the change.
Twitter had fun coming up with names for it, including “Empire Earmark” and “Manhattan Transfer.”
The bipartisan New York State Association of Counties, which serves all counties and the city of New York, supports the measure as a way to help counties reduce property taxes. One reason for high property taxes is that New York counties must pay for state services and programs that other counties across the nation do not, said Stephen J. Acquario, the group’s executive director, in a March 10 statement.
“It's time for the state to stop playing the blame game and start lowering the costs it imposes on counties so that we can begin to lower property taxes,” he said.
Contributing: Maureen Groppe
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