“We need more doctors who accept Medicaid…”
“It is one of the poorest counties in the state of New York, there is a tremendous need,” says Fior Kinee, Spokesperson for 1199SI, referring to Sullyvan County.
Kinee was at the virtual conference Protect our Care New Yorkwhere doctors along with Congressman Adriano Espaillat shared information about the need for Medicaid coverage in the state of New York.
“Public insurance in itself is an important tool to provide high-quality health care at no cost to working people and people up to the middle, middle class,” the official maintains.
He added that at the federal and state level, Republicans have cut billions in funding for Medicaid by limiting federal funding.
“There has been an attempt to dismantle it but we have done everything possible to keep it going,” explains the congressman of District 13, Adriano Espaillat.
Nearly eight million people in New York State have some Medicaid plan. However, many may live in communities where it is difficult for them to find a doctor who accepts their insurance.
Espaillat says insurance must work on better reimbursements for doctors.
“Particularly those doctors who are in our community, whose majority of patients are Medicaid or Medicare recipients, cannot really support themselves in their practices with very, very low reimbursement,” adds the congressman.
By 2024, the cost of living adjustment for Medicaid eligibility increased to almost $1,700 per month for a single person, and almost $2,300 per month for a couple.
However, with the cost of living so high in the state, thousands of people cannot afford private insurance.
“We are always reviewing the eligibility criteria for these programs because we consider that with a push, at least a minimum, we can attract thousands of people who could be left out of these programs.”
To learn more about New York State health insurance plans, visit health.ny.gov.
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