2007 NYSAC Press Releases
You Are Here:
NYSAC Calls on State Leaders to Make Primary Care the "Foundation of Healthcare Reform"
Putting patients first will result in superior health outcomes, reduced health disparities and taxpayer savings
The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) today reaffirmed its support for making primary and preventive care the “foundation of healthcare reform” in New York State.
In September, the NYSAC Standing Committee put forth a resolution (attached) calling on the Governor and both houses of the State Legislature to make patient-focused primary and preventive care a top priority during negotiations to reform the state's healthcare industry.
Today, county leaders indicated they are pleased with the direction that Governor Eliot Spitzer is taking New York State's health care system and voiced support for the efforts of the Primary Care Coalition, a group focused on putting patient care first.
“There is no question that our health care system needs reform, and the size and scope of our Medicaid system is proof of that need. We are spending too much of taxpayer's dollars without seeing real improvement in health outcomes," said Chemung County Executive Thomas J. Santulli, who serves as the president of the New York State County Executives Association and as First Vice President for NYSAC.
Santulli has championed efforts in Chemung County to improve the level of care for patients and lower the cost of the Medicaid program.
"We believe the Governor is taking the right tact with reforming Medicaid and putting the focus on primary care for patients," Santulli said. "As the administrative arm of most of the state's health and human services--including Medicaid--we have seen what doesn't work and we've been advocating for change for years."
Among the changes that NYSAC is calling for:
· modernizing the model of healthcare used in New York to be proactive, built around the latest clinical standards and coordinated to ensure the continuity of care;
· greater access to primary care in communities across the state, both urban and rural;
· a process by which electronic patient identification, records and billings are used to ensure efficient and high quality care; and
· incentives in the payment system that are aligned so both providers and recipients share in the cost savings they produce.
"We are advocating for a more proactive stance when it comes to improving our health care system. If we turn our focus on primary and preventive care, then patients will get better treatment, taxpayers will save money and we will be able to curb the health disparities that currently exist among New Yorkers,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.
Today's announcement by NYSAC was applauded by the Primary Care Coalition, a partnership made up of the Community Health Center Association of New York State, Primary Care Development Corporation, New York State Academy of Family Physicians, New York State Area Health Education Center System and American College of Physicians, New York Chapter.
“We’re thrilled that NYSAC stands with us in our efforts to provide a ‘healthcare home’ for all of New York’s more than 18 million residents,” said Elizabeth Swain, CEO of CHCANYS. “We have been pleased to hear Gov. Spitzer’s preliminary comments advocating for more and improved primary care, and, with the help of NYSAC, we’re confident that we will be able to help all New Yorkers by obtaining the dollars needed to improve and expand the state’s primary care infrastructure.
The New York State Association of Counties is a bipartisan municipal association serving all 62 counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC’s mission is to represent, educate and advocate for Member Counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.
###