For the health care industry, there is a small bright spot in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget proposal - one program not being cut.
The program, known as “Doctors Across New York,” was enacted in 2008. It aims to entice nurses and doctors to practice in rural parts of the state, by paying off their student loans.
In the Governor’s budget proposal the program would be extended for three more years.
Bill Van Slyke, of the Healthcare Association of New York State, says while that’s good, the 2 to 3 percent overall cut to health care providers in the budget is going to be hard to grapple with.
“The budget itself doesn’t specify any mechanics or any methods for how that savings is going to be achieved,” says Van Slyke.
The governor has appointed a team to overhaul the state’s Medicaid program in hopes of finding health care savings in the state budget.
Doctors Across New York is slated to receive more than $10 million for the next three years.
