Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
AGENCY TESTIMONY
State budget implications and funding inequities
2:36:01
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126 sec
Dr. Morse discusses the implications of the state budget on public health funding in New York City. She highlights positive initiatives but also points out ongoing funding inequities, particularly regarding Article Six matching funds.
- Positive state budget initiatives including expanded Empire State Child Tax Credit and funding for SUNY Downstate
- Ongoing inequity in Article Six matching funds for New York City (20% vs. 36% for other counties)
- Advocacy for legislation (Senate Bill 4801 and Assembly Bill 2705) to address this funding disparity
- Emphasis on New York City's unique demographics and public health challenges
Michelle Morse
2:36:01
We anticipate an increased reliance on state and city dollars in the months and years ahead.
2:36:07
About 29% of our budget is funded through New York State.
2:36:10
We were pleased to see a number of initiatives included in the 2026 budget including an expanded Empire State Child Tax Credit, 450,000,000 in funding for SUNY Downstate, and a one year extension of the Medicaid managed care carve out for school based health centers.
2:36:27
The budget also includes 25,000,000 in new statewide funding to allow providers to cover the full cost of medication abortion and other abortion services.
2:36:36
While there are a number of good things in this year's state budget, it fails yet again to redress the inequity of NYC's article six match.
2:36:44
Every county in the state receives a 36% reimbursement from the state for core public health services except New York City which only receives 20%.
2:36:54
I want to acknowledge the members of this council particularly chair Schulman who used their voice and platform to advocate strongly for this funding restoration.
2:37:02
The state legislature now has the opportunity to pass legislation to fix this injustice by voting on senate bill forty eight zero one and assembly bill twenty seven zero five which was put forward by senate health committee chair Rivera and assembly member Gonzales Rojas.
2:37:17
As state health commissioner McDonald said, this is the very definition of an inequity.
2:37:23
New York City has the largest population of black, indigenous, and people of color in the state.
2:37:27
We're also home to the most low income individuals and the majority of Medicaid recipients in all of New York State, and we are the most global city in the country.
2:37:36
When it comes to infectious disease that means New York City is often hit first and hardest.
2:37:41
Despite all that, we've lost upward of $90,000,000 a year in state public health funding since our matching funds were cut in 2019.
2:37:50
We're in the midst of an extremely distressing time for public health.
2:37:53
The state can alleviate some of this uncertainty by passing legislation and providing New York City residents with the funding they are owed from the state government.
2:38:01
At the city level, we're grateful to see a continued commitment to public health funding in the 2026 executive budget.