Lawmakers Approve Shifts in Health Care
ALBANY, NY — The Legislature Tuesday approved a bill that will shift millions of dollars from inpatient hospital care to outpatient services, save $828 million in health-care costs and create a loan-forgiveness program for physicians who agree to practice in parts of the state short of doctors.
“Today we took an important step forward in transforming our health-care system to lower costs, increase access and invest in primary and preventive care,”
Gov. David Paterson said
The changes mean $57 million will be taken out of inpatient care and put toward hospital clinics, emergency rooms and ambulatory care. The state will put $45 million more toward community clinics, physician services and additional reimbursements for providers that have evening and weekend hours, according to state budget officials. Medicaid, the health-insurance program for the poor, will pay for diabetes and asthma education, something it has not done in the past.