Letters should be submitted no later than Wednesday, August 22. We encourage you to review the waiver and voice your support in your own words. For sample text, and information about the waiver, click here.
About the MRT Waiver
Read our op-ed in the Albany Times Union.
NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo and NYS Health Commissioner Nirav Shah, MD recently announced that New York State has submitted a $10 billion "MRT Waiver" application to the federal government. The purpose is to reinvest part of the $17.1 billion that New York is saving the federal government over the next five years to support health system reforms that will create and sustain better health care at lower costs in New York State.
The waiver makes substantial investments in primary care and other initiatives that support expansion of patient-centered health care to serve the 2.3 million New York residents lacking access to primary care. Many of the proposals that you advocated for were included in the final waiver submission. This includes:
• $1.25 billion for primary care capital investment, as well as technical, operational and health information technology assistance
• $200 million for expansion of high quality primary for uninsured patients, primarily through public hospitals
• $225 million to develop new care models, including integration of services across provider settings
• $250 million for workforce training, including workforce development for patient centered medical homes, health homes, and culturally competent care.
• $250 million to recruit and retain primary care and other health care providers in communities with provider shortages (including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, midwives, social workers, and mental health professionals.
The Waiver embraces CMS' Triple Aim: better health, better care, and lower costs by investing in the expansion of primary care while increasing the reach of quality health care to more New Yorkers. If approved, it will help build and sustain patient-centered, community-based primary and preventive care, behavioral health and support services capable of managing and coordinating care in communities of need.
Thank you for your continued support for this important effort. If you have any questions, please contact Dan Lowenstein (PCDC) or Beverly Grossman (CHCANYS).
Sincerely,
Ronda Kotelchuck Elizabeth Swain CEO
CEO President and CEO
Primary Care Development Corporation Community Health Care Association of NYS
