Contributed photo Paul Burckard, with Mayor Michael Bloomberg at his side, is pictured at a New York City Hall press conference. (Click for larger image)

County joins NYC mayor to seek Medicaid cap

MONTICELLO, NY — Last month Sullivan County Legislative Chair Leni Binder asked Paul Burckard, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in demanding that lawmakers in Albany reduce local municipalities share of the ever increasing Medicaid cost burden.

Burckard, who in addition to serving as Sullivan County’s director of Real Property Services sits on the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) Board of Directors, took her direction in a rare show of solidarity between more than 20 upstate counties and New York City.

The resulting press conference, held at New York City Hall on March 11, was sponsored by NYSAC to reaffirm its position that the state must cap the local share of Medicaid at 2001 levels so future growth is not financed by local property owners and to call for serious discussions between the governor and legislative leaders to explore cost-containment and revenue options that could provide local taxpayers with relief from rising costs of the program.

Many municipalities have covered these costs by raising property taxes. Sullivan County has not and is struggling to meet Medicaid costs without property tax increases. Currently nearly 50 percent of the Sullivan County tax levy goes to Medicaid.

“This year alone Medicaid has cost the county $1.2 million—most of this comes in the form of unfunded mandates,” Binder said.

Bloomberg recognized the burden this places on local municipalities.

“Local taxpayers have not say in the cost of the Medicaid program. They just foot an ever-growing bill,” he said.

Burckard concurred with the mayor and predicts trouble if nothing is done to address the situation.

“Without a cap, there will be no way to stabilize future budgets and real property tax levies. That’s not fair to taxpayers,” he said.