As part of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to building an inclusive healthcare system, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved New York's Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration Amendment. This paves the way for substantial investments in various initiatives, fostering health equity and improving access to primary and behavioral healthcare. The approved measures include setting sustainable base rates for safety net hospitals, linking individuals to crucial housing and nutritional support, improving access to comprehensive substance use disorder treatment, and making enduring investments in the state's healthcare workforce.
"As the nation's largest insurer, CMS is proud to approve this critical demonstration amendment, which gets to the heart of Medicaid's role as an innovator," said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. "The demonstration's initiatives will provide a broad swath of health and social supports to underserved communities, improving their health and quality of life. We encourage other states to follow New York's efforts to address health disparities."