For the first time in twenty-one years, the New York State Legislature enacted an on-time, balanced budget that meets the needs of the people of New York State. More important though, is the fact that the 2005-06 budget helps protect the health and well-being of all New Yorkers by restoring more than $762 million in proposed cuts for hospitals, nursing homes and health care, ensuring that these vital services will be there when the people of New York need them.

When it comes to health care, New York's families deserve the very best. The budget preserves and protects community-based health services that New Yorkers have come to depend on each and every day.

In addition to restoring much needed funding to hospitals and nursing homes, this year's budget creates a preferred drug program that would ensure that doctors have the final say in which drugs may be prescribed to patients, and will help lower the cost of prescription drugs. In addition, the budget provides much needed assistance to senior citizens, including $199 million for programs and services administered by the New York State Office for the Aging.

Not only does this year's budget provide funds to strengthen our hospitals, nursing homes, and health care system, it also provides much needed relief to taxpayers by capping the local share of Medicaid costs. Local Medicaid costs have skyrocketed in recent years, crippling county budgets and driving up local property taxes. Reforming the Medicaid program has been at the forefront of the Senate's efforts to reduce the burden placed on local property taxpayers. Capping the local share of Medicaid costs is a huge step towards bringing the skyrocketing costs of the program under control.

Beginning on October 1, the state will assume all local costs for the Family Health Plus program. The accelerated takeover of the program will provide $25 million in fiscal relief to local property taxpayers in 2005-06. This, combined with the cap on local Medicaid costs, will save local taxpayers more than $3.3 billion annually when fully effective.

There is nothing more important to the State Senate than the health and well-being of New Yorkers across the state. We are proud to have enacted the first on-time budget in twenty-one years, but we are more proud that the 2005-06 budget helps protect New Yorkers by investing in programs and services in their communities that they have come to depend on to protect themselves and their loved ones in times of need. There is no better investment that we could make.

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