By Hank Russell
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Governor Kathy Hochul fought over the future of Medicaid, with Hochul accusing Blakeman of gutting the program at the expense of New Yorkers, while Blakeman said the governor allowed the program to be rife with fraud and abuse.
The Hochul campaign cited various news sources. On an appearance on Channel 2’s The Point, Blakeman noted that New York’s Medicaid budget is twice that of Florida’s. When asked if he would cut Medicaid, Blakeman replied, “Of course.”
In an interview with TALK! 100.7 FM in Utica, New York, Blakeman said he “would have to take a very, very close look at Medicaid.” He said that the state’s Medicaid bill is greater than Florida’s and Texas’ combined.
“Is it because the people in New York are sicker than those in Florida or Texas? Absolutely not,” Blakeman said, adding he would go in “with a cost-cutting crew” to “look under a microscope” and “make the program more efficient and more in line with what other states are spending.” He also called the fact that New York spends more than Florida on Medicaid, although New York has fewer residents, “mind-boggling.”
He said that Medicaid also funds programs “that have nothing to do with healthcare” and nonprofits and for-profit companies are “feasting off Medicare.” Under the Medicaid program, Blakeman siad he will “hold everyone accountable.”
The Hochul campaign also posted a Facebook video of Todd Hood, Blakeman’s running mate, mentioning Medicaid cuts. “Everyone’s like, ‘Oh, that’s terrible,’” Hood said. “It’s not. It’s about oversight.” He said families living out of state were collecting Medicaid payments. “You talk about fraud in Minnesota,” he said. “This is huge in New York State.
Hochul campaign spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki said these cuts will cripple the program.
““The Republican ticket this year got its marching orders from Donald Trump: Cut Medicaid, just like I did,’” Radulovacki said. “‘MAGA All the Way’ Bruce Blakeman and his running mate are making clear at every stop on the campaign trail that — instead of defending New Yorkers’ health care from Trump’s attacks, like Governor Hochul — they’ll follow their favorite president’s lead and put Medicaid on the chopping block in New York. We can’t let that happen.”
In response, Blakeman said, “I’m running for Governor to protect patients and taxpayers by eliminating the fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicaid that costs billions of dollars every year and drives up the cost of living in New York. By fixing Hochul’s broken system, we will actually safeguard health coverage for the most vulnerable.”