N.Y. Gubernatorial candidates discuss health care plans

New York governor candidates last week discussed their plans for health care.

Republican governor nominee John Faso on Tuesday said he would build up to 40 community health centers in rural and urban areas, adding to the 60 centers currently in operation, AP/Long Island Newsday reports.

Faso said his plan to address Medicaid fraud would use superior technology and greater attention than has been committed in recent years by state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, a Democratic nominee for governor.

Faso said he also would review the efficiency of health care providers and limit Medicaid so that beneficiaries do not receive benefits superior to those of private insurance.

In addition, Faso said he would increase Medicaid reimbursements to physicians and specialists. Faso said his proposals would save the state $13 billion over four years (Gormley, AP/Long Island Newsday, 9/5).

Spitzer on Thursday said that as governor he would reduce Medicaid spending, close hospitals and overhaul the reimbursement system for hospitals providing care to indigent patients.

He also said that New York state should promote preventive care (Hakim, New York Times, 9/8).

He said that with improved fraud efforts and other measures to control spending, he could save about $11 billion over three years, Long Island Newsday reports.

According to Newsday, Spitzer said if his plans succeed, he would implement universal health care.

Spitzer also said that in his first term as governor, he would ensure that 500,000 uninsured children obtain health coverage (Cockfield, Long Island Newsday, 9/8).