Empire Center

Episode 46: Medicaid Overdose

In this episode of Messages of Necessity, Empire Center Senior Fellow for Health Policy Bill Hammond unpacks his latest report, Medicaid Overdose: The Excessive Growth of State-Sponsored Health Coverage in New York. Bill explores how Medicaid enrollment has surged to include millions of residents exceeding income eligibility limits, raising critical concerns for taxpayers and policymakers.

Episode 45: Medicaid Money Grab

In this episode of Messages of Necessity, Empire Center Senior Fellow for Health Policy Bill Hammond is joined by Cam Macdonald, the Center’s General Counsel, to dissect Governor Hochul's recently proposed “MCO tax” and the implications it may hold for New York's Medicaid financing. They delve into the tax’s origins, modeled on a similar approach in California, and discuss how this plan could bring in a fraction of the projected $4 billion in extra federal aid that state lawmakers anticipated. With details pulled from the state’s federal waiver application, Bill and Cam explore the estimated $2.8 billion in gross revenues and the net returns of $1.4 to $1.8 billion after state costs, unraveling the financial mechanics and potential legal and policy consequences for insurers, Medicaid recipients, and New York taxpayers.

Episode 44: CDPAP Shake-Up

In this episode of Messages of Necessity, Empire Center Senior Fellow for Health Policy Bill Hammond joins Kyle Davis, Director of Public Affairs, to unpack Governor Hochul’s recent overhaul of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). They dive into the governor’s decision to place control of the $12 billion program in the hands of a single fiscal intermediary and discuss the wide-reaching implications for consumers, caregivers, and key stakeholders.

Episode 43: COVID Cover-ups

In this episode of Messages of Necessity, Empire Center Senior Fellow for Health Policy Bill Hammond joins Kyle Davis, Director of Public Affairs, to discuss former Governor Cuomo’s recent Capitol Hill testimony. They explore the Empire Center’s crucial role in bringing transparency to the COVID-19 crisis, examine key insights from Cuomo’s pandemic response, and highlight recent efforts aimed at ensuring a safer future by understanding what went wrong.

Episode 42: Watt a Ride

In this episode of Messages of Necessity, Empire Center Adjunct Fellow Cam Macdonald sits down with Al Karam, former Director of Transportation at Shenendehowa, to explore the challenges and potential pitfalls of implementing electric school buses as districts strive to comply with New York State's mandate. They discuss the logistical hurdles, financial burdens, and infrastructural needs that districts must navigate.