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State Association of Counties Applauds State Budget’s Investments Designed to Improve Health Care Services in the Adirondack Region
April 1, 2009
“Under the leadership of Governor David A. Paterson and Health Commissioner Dr. Richard F. Daines, the New York State Budget includes a bold new initiative designed to improve the availability and quality of health care in the Adirondack North Country, while reducing skyrocketing costs. The investment of $4.5 million for increasing access to health care is designed to stem a growing shortage of primary care services available in Adirondack communities,” said Stephen J. Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties.
The new pilot program—the Medical Home Demonstration Project—will ensure that health care, a foundation of any area economy, is available locally. The program is designed to provide more timely office-based services that will prevent unnecessary trips to the emergency room. The innovative partnership will involve physicians, insurance companies, health care facilities and patients.
“Access to quality health care goes hand-in-hand with economic development and job growth as critical to the long-term viability of our communities,” said Fred Monroe, the chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors.
“North County counties have seen first-hand the need for better access to primary health care in the Adirondacks,” said Acquario. “This success could not have happened without the tireless support of Senator Elizabeth Little and Assembly members Teresa Sayward and Jan Dupree. NYSAC and the county supervisors in the Adirondack Park Region are grateful for their public service to ensure that access to health care in this region continues.”
The Adirondack Region, which is economically sustained with the support of hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, has a severely inadequate primary health care system. There is a shortage of physicians, low health insurance reimbursements, costs are too high and residents have to travel too far to see their doctors.
Cathy Moses, the chairwoman of the Essex County Board of Supervisors said “This project is an important first step in addressing this growing need. Improving local health care is crucial to the well-being of its resident and the region’s long term sustainability. This new initiative could be replicated in other rural parts of the state.”
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.
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