State Senator Pamela Helming, District 54 | Official U.S. Senate headshot
State Senator Pamela Helming, District 54 | Official U.S. Senate headshot
New York is advancing with a significant overhaul of a Medicaid program that enables individuals with disabilities to choose and receive care at home. The primary change involves reducing the number of fiscal intermediaries (FIs) from over 600 to a single operator. This contract is expected to be awarded by the state's deadline of October 1.
Since the reforms were announced in the budget, efforts to halt the changes have increased. A new piece of legislation, co-sponsored by local lawmakers, aims to expand the program and enhance transparency regarding its operations.
Senator Pam Helming, representing the 54th District which includes Ontario, Wayne, Livingston counties, and parts of Monroe County, has signed on to bipartisan bill S.9901. This bill seeks to repeal the current measure related to licensure of fiscal intermediaries and allow for growth.
"While I think this bill is on the right track and will help us, if we can get it passed – to continue to provide good care and services to the most vulnerable New Yorkers. I still struggle with some of the bill language that would allow the Dept. of Health to decide how many FI’s we should have in the state," says Helming.
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