Mineola, NY - Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi today announced the creation of the Nassau County Medicaid Advisory Group to advise him on cost containment proposals and other ideas to assist in capping the growth of Medicaid costs, which are being forced down on local governments by New York State.  The panel, comprised of county legislators, business leaders, advocates and health care administrators, will report it recommendations to the County Executive within 60 days.

County Executive Suozzi today announced the creation of the Nassau County Medicaid Advisory Group to advise him on cost containment proposals and other ideas to assist in capping the growth of Medicaid costs, which are being forced down on local governments by New York State.

“As Medicaid continues to strangle local property taxpayers, county executives from around the state are demanding a cap on the local share of Medicaid costs.  At the same time, we have to carefully and intelligently develop some ideas on how to contain costs in a Medicaid program that is the most expensive in the nation, while continuing to provide the safety net to our neediest residents.” said the County Executive, who also serves as president of the New York State County Executive’s Association.  “We are fortunate that so many talented individuals with diverse backgrounds in both the public and private sectors are willing to serve and assist me in addressing with this critical issue.”

The Medicaid Advisory Group will be co-chaired by Nassau County Legislator Lisanne Altmann and Long Island Association (LIA) President Matthew Crosson.  Legislator Altmann, serving her fifth term representing the 10th legislative district, chairs the legislature’s budget committee and serves as vice chair of the rules, health and public safety committees.  Last spring, she organized a Medicaid summit in Nassau County that brought together more than 100 state and local representatives and activists.  Mr. Crosson has served since 1993 as president of the LIA, a membership organization that actively promotes cooperation among the business, labor, educational, scientific, technology, not-for-profit and civic communities across Long Island.

“Local governments can no longer afford to bear the cost of rising Medicaid expenses across New York State.  We must find innovative ways that will allow us to meet the needs of our citizens and at the same time get a better return on our investment in health care,” said Legislator Altmann.  “I am proud the County Executive has asked me to co-chair this important effort to try to address the issue of skyrocketing costs of providing health care to the elderly and our neediest citizens.”

“It is the obligation of the business community to do more than just complain about taxes,” said Mr. Crosson.  “We need to participate in the process of reducing Medicaid-related taxes while at the same time ensuring that the neediest members of our community are protected.”

"Albany is the source of the county’s Medicaid problem, and Albany must provide the solution.  The state passes half the Medicaid burden to the county, while failing to control the program’s costs,” Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman said.  “That's why, along with County Executive Suozzi, I am calling on our legislators in Albany to cap the local share of Medicaid this year.  We will continue to look for ways to improve the program on the local level, but the real financial impact will be felt through statewide reforms, like the ones we hope to suggest through the efforts of this committee being announced today.”

The members of the Medicaid Advisory Group include:

•  Kevan Abrahams, who is serving his second term as a Nassau County Legislator in the 1st legislative district where he is chairman of the public works committee, acting chair of the minority affairs committee and a member of the finance and public safety committees.
•  Peter Clement, Ph.D., who has served as Assistant Commissioner of the Nassau County Department of Social Services for Finance and Development since 1990, having first joined the department in 1976.  Among his current responsibilities are administration of the budget and accounting as well as planning and research.
•  Mary Curtis, Ph.D., Deputy County Executive for Health and Human Services, who has worked in the field of health and human services in Nassau and Suffolk Counties for more than 15 years.  Prior to joining the County in 2003, she was with United Way of Long Island and also served as Associate Executive Director of the Nassau-Suffolk Health Systems Agency.
•  Kevin Dahill, who has served as president and chief executive officer of the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council since 2002, an advocacy organization that represents 24 not-for-profit and public hospitals before lawmakers, regulatory agencies, the media and the general public.
•  Michael J. Dowling, president and chief executive officer since 2002 of North Shore-LIJ Health System.  A former commissioner of health and social services in New York State, Mr. Dowling has more than 20 years extensive experience in the areas of heath and human services.
•  Howard Fensterman, is the managing partner of Abrams, Fensterman, Flowers, Greenberg & Eisman LLP, a law firm that specializes in health care finance and health law. 
•  Arthur Gianelli, Deputy County Executive for Budget and Finance since 2002, and the senior appointed official in the County responsible for financial management and fiscal policy.
•  Daniel Kane, who since 2004 has served as president and chief executive officer of the Nassau Health Care Corporation, a State public benefit corporation which consists of the 620 bed Nassau University Medical Center, the 889 bed A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility and six neighborhood health centers. 
•  Jack O’Connell, who has been with the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island since 1976 and has served as its president and chief executive officer since 1988.  Mr. O’Connell is a founding member of Medicaid Matters, a statewide coalition that advocates on behalf of just Medicaid policies.
•  Arlene Sanchez, who serves as Deputy Commissioner of the Nassau County Department of Mental Health since 2003 and was also named by the County Executive as co-chair of the Minority Health Task Force.
•  Jeff Toback, an attorney, is currently serving his third term representing the 7th legislative district, and chairs the health and social services committee, as well as the judiciary committee