Statement from NYSCOP Regarding the 2009-10 NYS Budget

ALBANY, NY (03/30/2009)(readMedia)--

Statement from NYSCOP Spokeswoman Deborah K. Fasser Regarding the 2009-10 New York State Budget

"Governor Paterson and the Legislature have tacked on to the cost of health insurance more than $675 million this year in hidden taxes and fees. Currently, New Yorkers who voluntarily purchase private health insurance coverage already pay more than $3.7 billion in state health taxes. In some cases, this will amount to nearly 10 percent of the members' premiums. At a time when businesses and families are struggling to pay for the cost of health insurance, the Governor and Legislature have inexplicably added these taxes and fees, which will only drive up the cost even further."

"Neither health plans nor our customers can afford these taxes. Businesses will have to choose between raising an employee's contributions to the company's health plan or eliminating health insurance as a benefit. Either way the result will be fewer New Yorkers with health insurance - an extremely disturbing result given the fact that our state and nation are trying to find ways to increase the numbers of people with health insurance."

"New Yorkers and businesses are struggling financially, this budget does nothing more than deliver another devastating fiscal blow."

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Posted Monday March 30, 2009 at 02:31 pm by New York State Conference of Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans