S327

The New York State Senate passed S327, an act relating to the definition of 'safety net providers,' by a vote of 58-0 on the noncontroversial calendar. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Rivera, faced a procedural challenge when Sen. Weber appealed a ruling by Acting President Persaud that an amendment regarding FMAP intercept funding was nongermane. Weber argued the amendment was germane because both the amendment and bill addressed Medicaid funding, and contended that while S327 expands the definition for safety net hospital funding, it fails to address a separate state policy diverting federal Medicaid funds intended for county governments to the state General Fund. Weber warned that counties including Rockland, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, and Erie would lose tens of millions of dollars, potentially forcing tax increases of 7-14 percent. The appeal was rejected by a show of hands vote of 18 ayes. The bill then passed unanimously. Weber indicated he would pursue the FMAP issue separately through S6716, which would require direct sharing of federal Medicaid funds with counties and New York City.