Pataki & Medicaid

Pataki announced his plan to rein in New York counties' crippling Medicaid bills.

"Groups representing hospitals, nursing homes and health care worker unions were already promising a bitter fight to halt the Republican governor's plan. The opposition's impact on the Legislature could have huge sway on the overall plan this time, though; the governor has threatened he won't move to help the counties cut Medicaid spending unless the Legislature backs his ideas. "

While normally, I'd cynically say that Union opposition probably means it's a good idea, Giambra thinks Pataki's plan is good, so that must mean it's bad. (Follow?) What's Pataki's plan to cap county Medicaid contributions at 2005 levels? Why, tax the hospitals, of course! Along with some requisite cuts in services (which, quite frankly, NYS can afford to do.) I just love that he's just shifting most of the money to another group. So New York. So back-ass-wards. So business-as-usual. Counting the days till Pataki's gone.