|
|
 |
|
|
Senator Bruno with his Senate colleagues at the Medicaid Reform Task Force meeting in Hearing Room A of the Legislative Office Building in Albany. |
Monday, July 28, 2003
The Senate Medicaid Reform Task Force held its first meeting today with members of the Task Force Advisory Panel. Members of the Task Force and the Advisory Panel reviewed the mission of the Task Force; the role of the Advisory Panel; outlined a schedule of events throughout the state and discussed the format of the events; and potential questions and issues for discussion.
"The mission of this Task Force is to develop a long term vision for making the Medicaid program in New York State more efficient while providing quality affordable health care," Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said in his opening remarks. "Reforming Medicaid is not going to be easy. It�s going to be a big challenge, but it�s one we have to face for the sake of people who rely on Medicaid for their health care and for the taxpayers who pay for Medicaid."
The Task Force Advisory Panel is comprised of more than 40 members, including representatives of health care providers, local governments, business organizations, health care experts, higher education and health care employee unions. The Advisory Panel will work closely with the members of the Task Force as it works to reform and improve the Medicaid system in New York State.
"The collective knowledge, experience and talent of the people participating in this task force and the advisory panel is very impressive," Senator Bruno said. "I�m confident that you will make thoughtful recommendations that will reform and improve a system that is desperately in need of change."
"Our taxpayers and the State and county budgets they support can no longer sustain the explosive growth in Medicaid," said Senator Ray Meier (R-C, Western), Co-Chair of the Task Force, said. "Our Task Force intends to propose innovative solutions to control costs while preserving the integrity of our health care system. The experience, advice and cooperation of this distinguished advisory panel will be critically important to reaching that goal."
In addition to Senator Meier, Senator Kemp Hannon (R-C, Garden City) serves as Co-Chair, and the Executive Committee of the Senate Task Force on Medicaid Reform includes Senators James Wright (R-C-I, Watertown), Elizabeth Little (R, Queensbury), Mary Lou Rath (R-C, Williamsville) and Frank Padavan (R-C, Bellerose) and Senate Minority Leader David Paterson. Every member of the Senate will participate as a member of the task force.
[BIOGRAPHY] [DISTRICT MAP] [PHOTO GALLERY] [LEGISLATION] [CONSTITUENT SERVICES] [YOUR OPINION COUNTS] [GUESTBOOK] [PRIVACY POLICY] [SENATE INSIDER] [CONTACT INFO] [HOME/NEWS]