Reps. Israel, King & Rice Announce CMS Approval of a Pilot Health Program for New Yorkers with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Statement

U.S. Representatives Steve Israel (NY-03), Peter King (NY-02) and Kathleen Rice (NY-04) announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved New York State's application for a new pilot health care program for individuals with intellectual and other development disabilities and authorized the program to begin operations on January 1, 2016. The pilot program, operated by the non-profit organization Partners Health Plan (PHP), will create a managed care joint Medicare-Medicaid plan so that PHP can participate in New York's Fully-Integrated Duals Advantage (FIDA) program, which serves elderly and disabled individuals who are dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. In a letter last month to the Acting Director of CMS, Reps. Israel, King and Rice urged CMS to approve PHP's application, noting that it had been significantly delayed and that further delays would jeopardize the program's financial viability.

"I'm proud to have worked with my colleagues across the aisle to ensure federal approval of a pilot program that will provide top-notch health care for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Making the federal government work better for all New Yorkers, this common sense program will serve as a model to improve care for the most vulnerable in our communities," said Rep. Steve Israel.

"I applaud CMS for approving the exceptional model that Partners Health Plan (PHP) has developed for the care of the intellectually and developmentally disabled in New York State. The program will ensure that the most vulnerable New Yorkers receive the care they need," said Representative King.

"I'm pleased CMS put an end to the delays and gave PHP's application the final approval it deserves. This innovative program will vastly improve care for New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and it's important that PHP now has the certainty they need to start serving this vulnerable population," said Representative Kathleen Rice.

Source