Pataki's Budget Includes Steep Cuts To Medicare

[brooklynite]

http://www.ny1.com/ny/TopStories/SubTopic/index.html?topicintid=1&subtopicintid=1&contentintid=47274

JANUARY 18TH, 2005

Hundreds of thousands of poor New Yorkers are facing major healthcare cuts in coming years if Governor George Pataki's budget is passed.

This year, the state faces a $4 billion deficit. In his annual budget address in Albany Tuesday, Pataki proposed trimming the state’s Medicaid spending by $1 billion, with the possibility that by 2008, the state could completely assume local governments’ share.

..snip..

The governor's budget also calls for eliminating mental health services entirely for adults in Family Health Plus, a healthcare program for the working poor.

.. snip ..

Pataki called for a $526 million increase to school funding, including $325 million earmarked for high-needs districts, such as New York City. It’s the largest hike he has ever proposed, but it’s far less than the nearly $15 billion over five years that a panel has recommended to satisfy a court decision calling for more money for city schools.

.. snip ..

Pataki’s $105.5 billion budget plan also includes:

eliminating the state income tax surcharge for New Yorkers making more than $100,000;

- - - - -

Well, as long as the budget is fair and equitable.....

[juajen]

1. I think your thread should read "medicaid" not "medicare"

There is a big difference. Medicare is paid for monthly by ss recipients and is handled by the Feds. While it is surely in trouble and will have to be fixed, the states have no jurisdiction.

Yeah, agree, very equitable. (Sarcasm on)

[brooklynite]

6. That was the title that came with the story...

I don't write 'em, I just report 'em.....

One other thing I left out of the story: he's proposing to stop a promised elimination of the State sales tax on clothes. I believe if a Democrat proposes something like that, it gets called a tax increase.

[sherilocks]

10. The stores in NJ

that get the NY buyers who want to avoid sales taxes on clothes will be happy to hear the news. As it is you can go to the "Enterprise Zones" in NJ and pay only 3% sales tax on everything else.

BTW, The Medicare/Medicaid mix-up is wrong, maybe this is not a good news source or they need a new reporter.

[trogdor]

11. According to the LBN rules, you can't fix headlines.

...without risking getting your thread locked.

Anyway, I suppose that means counties will have to pick up the slack. Can you say "property tax increase?" Can you say "sales tax increase?" In Oneida County, we get both.

It's unfair because poor Upstate counties with lots of old people like Oneida, Herkimer, St. Lawrence, Lewis, Jefferson, etc., get slammed the hardest. Par for the course for Republicans.

[alfredo]

2. Our Republican governor is doing the same thing.

He hates us so much.

[hippiechick]

3. So is Daniels in Indiana ....

... sounds like part of the GOP game plan.


:scared:

[alfredo]

4. Why are they doing this to us? eom

[hippiechick]

8. They are eradicating the 'New Deal'

... and un-doing the Social Contract that's evolved since the early 1900's.

We are seeing a regression back to the robber baron/ fend-for-yourself days of the late 1800's.

It's going to get a lot uglier before it starts to get better.


:scared:


:hippie:

[alfredo]

12. That's what the Reagan revolution was all about.

Reagan even signaled his intent to roll back civil rights when he launched his campaign in Philadelphia Mississippi.

Bush has picked up where Reagan left off, and then some.

[E. Wade Houston II]

5. Quite a shame.

It's sad that this is happening. I predict further cutbacks in social security and medicaid in order to fulfill the Bush Administration's shallow agenda.

[newyawker99]

13. Hi E. Wade Houston II!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Massachusetts]

7. Gee Sus

How do these F"%&*cking MORONS get into office! I can't believe that the American voter is that dumb!

Wake me for the Revolution.

[d.l.Green]

9. He's also proposing adding more video lottery terminals

to help raise more money for education.

Our local Christian Coalition representative is quoted in our local online news as saying that the argument that gambling is a good way to fund education is invalid. “We must never sacrifice one part of our society to benefit another.” (Isn't this off script?)