By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Erie County Executive Joel Giambra met with the Governor in Albany to talk about Medicaid reform. He returned from his trip late Tuesday afternoon.
Giambra said the Governor is asking leaders of the state's top five counties to help create a Medicaid reform proposal.
Giambra said it was the most productive meeting on Medicaid reform that he has had in four years.
He said he left Albany feeling "slightly optimistic" that reforms might be in the works.
"You had the five largest counties at the table with the Governor, along with his budget department and local government affairs people," said Giambra. "The Governor asked us for help. We need to be a partner with Pataki. Right now we have a chance of a life time to hopefully get something in the budget that the Governor submits to the Legislature in January."
Giambra said the leaders have pledged to work with the Governor on trying to gain a cap on Medicaid costs for counties.
But he said it is important for them to realize that the state is faced with its own fiscal "dilemma."
"The State will start the new year with a $7 billion hole. So, it would be disingenuous for us to suggest the state take over the local share of some where between $1.5 and $1.7 billion," said Giambra. "It's not going to happen."
Giambra said in order for the state to pick up the cost of Medicaid, there must be "cost containment" reform.
He said one of the ideas being considered is his own proposal called "Medicaid Swap for Sales Tax." And as for the County's request to the state to hike the County's sales tax in 2005 to help pay for escalating Medicaid costs, Giambra said he did not discuss that during his meeting with Pataki.
But, Giambra said he believes if the state legislature approves the home rule request, the Governor would sign it.
Giambra said Pataki doesn't want the county to default to a "red" budget.