OC Executive Neuhaus Says State’s Withholding Federal Medicaid Dollars Hurts Taxpayers

Orange County, New York, Executive Steve Neuhaus said Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to boost state Medicaid spending comes at a cost to local taxpayers.

In her newly released state budget, Hochul proposes a stop to passing enhanced federal Medicaid dollars to 57 county governments; instead, the money will be used for increased state-level spending.

The proposed withholding is estimated to be $280 million in the coming fiscal year, according to an analysis by the New York State Association of Counties.

Orange County’s share is $9.8 million, according to Neuhaus.

“Withholding nearly $10 million for Medicaid is a shift...