The Obama administration on Thursday approved a plan that will allow New York state to reallocate $8 billion in Medicaid funds to revamp or replace its financially ailing hospitals and modernize an outdated health-care system.
Gov. Cuomo and Sen. Charles Schumer both applauded the long-awaited federal sign-off on New York’s Medicaid waiver.
The governor initially requested $10 billion over five years. But that figure was whittled down to $8 billion following extensive negotiations between state and federal officials.
The announcement came only hours after Cuomo blasted Obama health officials for foot-dragging.
Cuomo said some of the funding would be used to restructure underused hospitals or convert them into medical clinics or urgent-care centers.
“It is clearly the biggest step forward towards a positive conclusion for our communities, particularly in Brooklyn, that have suffered from diminishing health-care services,” Cuomo said in a statement.
Schumer said, “It’s not everything New York asked for, but it is a generous amount.
Before the announcement, the governor had complained for weeks that Washington hadn’t been able to make a decision in the 19 months since the state filed for the waiver.