Community Health Centers today demanded that any deals reached in New York’s final budget plan MUST include rate increases for CHCs, rate reform, and full telehealth pay parity. Health center leaders, patients, staff, and advocates are calling on Governor Hochul and our elected officials NOW to support community health centers and their patients.
CHCs serve everyone who walks through their doors, regardless of insurance coverage, immigration status, or ability to pay. But the rates health centers are paid have failed to keep up with rising costs. In order to continue providing the high quality, comprehensive care CHC patients depend on and deserve, the State must approve Medicaid rate increases for health centers, consistent with those proposed for hospitals, nursing homes, and other providers in the final budget.
Current CHC Medicaid rates were created in 1999 and have not increased since. Community health center rate reform, pursuant to CMS approval of a tax on Medicaid managed care plans, must be part of the final budget package. Rate reform, coupled with telehealth pay parity and a rate increase will help ensure that CHCs across New York State can keep their doors open and keep serving the neighborhoods that need them most.
SUPPORT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS NOW!