(Long Island, NY) Senator Jack M. Martins (R-C-I, Mineola) today announced that the State Senate has restored the $90 million that was cut from the budget of the state Office of People with Developmental Disabilities.
Legislation (S.4777-D), cosponsored by Senator Martins, would appropriate up to $90 million, or as much as is needed, to the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to protect providers from funding reductions if recommended savings measures fall short of projections.
“Had this cut to the OPWDD budget remained, it would have had a devastating impact on people with disabilities,” said Senator Martins. “Cutting services to the disabled should never have been part of the state budget negotiations. I am pleased that we were able to restore this critical funding so that our many wonderful non-profit service providers in Nassau County can continue to deliver compassionate, quality care to these special individuals. As always, I remain committed to all people with disabilities and will work to ensure that they have the resources they need to meet the challenges of day-to-day life.”
Senate Republicans strongly opposed the proposal in the Governor’s budget for $240 million in across-the-board funding cuts to OPWDD. The Senate’s budget resolution, passed in March, called for the full restoration of funding for OPWDD.
The final enacted state budget restored $60 million in state and federal funds to OPWDD. In addition, the budget created a workgroup that identified alternatives to minimize the impact of the cuts. The plan included using funds from Medicaid fraud recoveries, implementing less costly approaches to treatment, and ensuring that Medicaid is the payer of last resort.
Under the legislation passed today, should the savings fall short of the amount expected to be achieved from the workgroup, the state would transfer sufficient funds to OPWDD to make up for the shortfall. The Commissioner of OPWDD may also take into account greater efficiencies which do not diminish or impair services or the quality of care as reflected in the recommendations of the workgroup.
The bill will be sent to the Governor for his consideration.
