Health, Department of

Agency Web Site: http://www.health.ny.gov/

Mission

The mission of the Department of Health (DOH) is to ensure high quality health services are available to all New Yorkers. The Department is also the principal State agency that administers the Medicaid Program, New York's Health Exchange (New York State of Health), and other public health and health insurance programs.

The Department operates health care facilities including Helen Hayes Hospital, four veteran’s nursing homes, and the Wadsworth Laboratories. In addition, DOH conducts oversight of health professionals and all other health care facilities to ensure that high quality, cost effective, health care alternatives are provided throughout the State.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2017 Executive Budget recommends $137.3 billion for DOH, including $131.5 billion for Medicaid (including $2.5 billion for the Essential Plan) and $5.8 billion for remaining health program spending. This reflects an increase of $2.7 billion from the FY 2016 Budget primarily reflecting the continuation of two-year appropriations for Medicaid, Medicaid program changes under the Affordable Care Act, the continued implementation of the Essential Plan, as well as anticipated funding under Federal waiver amendments.

The Budget recommends a workforce of 5,169 FTEs for the Department. This is an increase of 243 FTEs from the FY 2016 budget, which is intended to provide staff to support the fifth year of the phased takeover of local government administration of the Medicaid program, and support for federal survey and certification activities, and the continued operations of the New York health benefit exchange -- New York State of Health.

Major Budget initiatives include:

• Continuing Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) reforms. A cost neutral package of initiatives are proposed that include continued funding for distressed hospitals and additional investments in Ending the AIDS Epidemic. These investments are balanced with Medicaid program savings including greater controls on pharmaceuticals, greater managed care efficiencies, enhanced Medicare cost-sharing limits and improved transportation management.
• Maintaining $2.5 billion in capital funding to support health facility transformation projects.
• Providing $40 million to continue operational support for the State Health Information Network of New York (SHIN-NY) and continue to develop the All Payer Claims Database (APCD) .
• Saving $5 million in the Early Intervention program through a series of program modifications that will not impact service level but will provide fiscal and administrative mandate relief to counties.
• Continuing the Human Services Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
• Providing $5 million in capital funding to purchase mammography-equipped vehicles.
• Continuing $102.6 million in subsidies for Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Health Care (PDF)

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/13/2016

Click for additional detailed appropriation tables