The clock is ticking as New York awaits word from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the fate of a lucrative tax meant to fund Medicaid reimbursement rate increases for health care institutions. And it’s not the only policy proposal that state officials hope the Biden administration will green-light in the weeks before handing over the reins to President-elect Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to have a very different view of Medicaid spending. The state Department of Health just kicked off the 30-day public comment period for a new application to significantly expand the eligibility threshold for a Medicaid buy-in program geared to disabled working people, starting Jan. 1, POLITICO’s Maya Kaufman reports. If approved, the program’s income limit would increase from 250 percent of the federal poverty line to 2,250 percent, the resource limit would expand by nearly 10 times to $300,000, and the upper age limit of 65 years would be removed. The program currently covers approximately 12,500 working New Yorkers with disabilities who might not otherwise be Medicaid-eligible. The changes are expected to yield nearly 2,200 more program participants annually, at a cost of $57 million per year, according to the state’s application. But the state’s timing gives the Biden administration an exceedingly short window to approve the request before the upcoming change in the White House. As far as the tax proposal , Gov. Kathy Hochul said she has raised the issue with CMS, remarking at a press conference earlier this month: “They know we have a timetable. We know we have a timetable to get them done.” In the words of one person familiar with the state’s request, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the negotiations, it’s “now or never.” “There’s no way a Trump administration would approve it,” the person said. Another open question is the fate of the state’s ongoing Medicaid redesign effort, the $7.5 billion New York Health Equity Reform project, which is authorized under a federal waiver that expires in early 2027. IN OTHER NEWS: — State legislation signed into law Saturday will expand children's access to fluoride treatments, Hochul's office announced. The bill authorizes registered dental assistants and licensed practical nurses to administer fluoride treatment in dental offices. “Fluoride is scientifically proven to prevent cavities and protect our kids' teeth,” Hochul said in a statement. “As a mom, I know how difficult it can be to get an appointment at the dentist's office and how critical it is for our kids to maintain good oral hygiene. That's why I’m signing this legislation to expand access to fluoride treatments, keeping our kids healthy and strong.” — The federal government on Thursday approved New York’s continuous coverage proposal for Medicaid and Child Health Plus enrollees up to the age of six. The change, which is effective immediately, is meant to reduce churn rates among the insurance programs’ youngest members. More than 66,000 children annually are expected to benefit from the new enrollment policy, according to state estimates. ON THE AGENDA: — Thursday at 1 p.m. NYC Health + Hospitals’ HHC Insurance Company/Physician Purchasing Group hosts its annual meeting. — Thursday at 3 p.m. The NYC Health + Hospitals board of directors meets. MAKING ROUNDS: — Kathy Febraio will step down from her role as president and CEO of the New York State Association of Health Care Providers at the end of this year. GOT TIPS? Send story ideas and feedback to Maya Kaufman at mkaufman@politico.com and Katelyn Cordero at kcordero@politico.com. Want to receive this newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to POLITICO Pro. You’ll also receive daily policy news and other intelligence you need to act on the day’s biggest stories.
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