Final 2024-25 NYS Budget: Advocacy, Outcomes, and Next Steps
Over the weekend, the State finalized its budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25. The Assembly and Senate debated and passed the package of budget bills throughout Fri., April 19th and Sat., April 20th, and Governor Hochul signed all budget legislation by Saturday afternoon. The final budget, delayed by several weeks, failed to address the significant needs of LeadingAge NY's nursing home members and the people you serve. There were some victories in other segments of the membership, however. While the final agreement was an improvement from the starting place of the Executive Budget proposal, continued advocacy efforts are necessary to drive the attention and resources our sector needs and deserves.
On Friday, LeadingAge NY issued an initial review of what was revealed in the Health and Mental Hygiene (HMH) budget bill. At the time of that review, the Health budget bill had been in print for approximately two hours, and we were awaiting several appropriations bills as well as the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance (ELFA) budget bill. Notably, ELFA was printed early Saturday morning and contained many of the final budget’s housing measures. On Mon., April 22nd, LeadingAge NY issued an additional review of the State budget’s housing measures as they relate to senior housing and our membership. The housing budget language includes a significant win: LeadingAge NY was successful in getting our housing, adult care facility (ACF), and continuing care retirement community (CCRC) members recognized as different from other housing, and therefore exempt from certain provisions of the “Good Cause Eviction” language.
LeadingAge NY is aware, however, that the budget in its entirety does not provide the level of funding or support we fought so hard for, particularly for nursing home members. This year, our sector had to combat over $600 million in proposed cuts during a frugal State budget cycle, while simultaneously fighting to reform and rationalize the State’s Medicaid rate methodologies. Despite concerted efforts, cuts to nursing home capital and the implementation of a case mix freeze are significant blows. These measures threaten the quality of care provided by our members and underscore the urgent need for continued advocacy. While the Legislature did fight for us, in the end, neither the Legislature nor Governor Hochul have prioritized the care of nursing home residents and aging New Yorkers in this year’s budget.
We had considerable success for our ACF and assisted living members, securing additional funds for the Assisted Living Program (ALP), restoring Enhancing the Quality of Adult Living (EQUAL) program and Enriched Housing Subsidy funding, getting the assisted living residence (ALR) quality reporting proposal (a policy issue) out of the budget process, and getting the cap of 200 vouchers removed from the Special Needs ALR (SNALR) Voucher program. For our Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) members, we helped defeat the managed care procurement proposal, a provision that represented the most significant direct threat to provider-based plans. We also helped defeat the Executive's proposal to expand the hospital-home care-physician statute, which would have allowed entities to provide care in patients' homes without Article 36 licensure.
It is important to note that we are still learning more about some of the budget initiatives. The managed care tax also holds hope for future funding, and we are seeking more details regarding the intentions for that funding should the State be successful in its application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In that process, we will fight to ensure that our members’ needs are addressed.
The policy team is analyzing the budget bills and will issue a comprehensive memo next week. At that time, we should have a fuller picture of the budget impacts and next steps. As we begin to formulate our next steps, it will be crucial to channel our frustration into action and amplify a unified message to NY policymakers and to the public. Members can stay up to date with all advocacy opportunities and legislative developments via our weekly Legislative Bulletin.
LeadingAge NY remains committed to advocating for policies that uphold the dignity and well-being of older adults. We thank you for your partnership in this effort, and your advocacy efforts have been tremendous. Stay tuned for our comprehensive analysis of the final budget, which will be shared with members by April 29th.
Contact: Sarah Daly, sdaly@leadingageny.org