BILL NUMBER: S353
SPONSOR: RIVERA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the appointment of
the state medicaid director
 
PURPOSE:
This bill provides that the appointment of the Medicaid Director by the
Governor shall be confirmed by the Senate.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 208-a of the Public Health Law, as it relates
to the appointment of the state medicaid director, to direct that the
Medicaid Director be appointed by the Governor by the advice and consent
of the Senate.
Section 2 provides an effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State's Medicaid program now serves 1 in 3 residents and spends
over $90 billion a year. Medicaid funding is used to support services
available through the Department of Health, the Office of Mental Health,
the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, and the Office for People
With Developmental Disabilities. The federal government contributes
funding to the state's program and has a role in overseeing it. Each
state has a designated Medicaid Director. New York's Medicaid Director
serves as a Deputy Commissioner within the Department of Health.
According to the National Association of Medicaid Directors, "Medicaid
directors are the senior leaders in states driving major innovations in
health care while overseeing Medicaid, one of the nation's most vital
and complex health care safety net programs, which covers more than 90
million Americans. Medicaid directors work tirelessly to provide the
best possible health care to vulnerable Americans while being responsi-
ble stewards of taxpayer dollars."
Given the importance of this role in overseeing Medicaid and taxpayer
funds, this legislation provides that the Medicaid Director shall be
appointed by the Governor, to be confirmed with the advice and consent
of the Senate.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2018: S8082-A Hannon/No same-as
2019-20: S1811-A/No same-as
2021-22: S1592/No same-as
2023-24: S985/A9778 Paulin
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January following the date it
becomes law.