ALBANY — The state and its taxpayers cannot afford to allow Medicaid spending to keep growing at five times the inflation rate, the Empire Center’s Bill Hammond warns in testimony to be delivered Tuesday to the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committees.

The state-funded share of New York’s Medicaid program has spiraled by 60 percent over the past four years, amounting to an additional $16 billion per year on top of what was already the highest per capita spending of any state, Hammond said.

“This raises the question of what those additional tens of billions are buying for the people of New York,” Hammond said. “It’s not more coverage or better quality. Enrollment is down compared to four years ago, and the average Medicaid rating for New York hospitals, at 2.5 of 5 stars, ranks 48th among the 50 states.

“Instead of simply pouring more tax dollars into an already well-funded health care industry, the state’s leaders should be looking for ways to constrain Medicaid costs and achieve better value for consumers.”

The Empire Center for Public Policy, Inc. is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank based in Albany.

Its mission is to make New York a better place to live and work by promoting public policy reforms grounded in free-market principles, personal responsibility, and the ideals of effective and accountable government.

Its vision is a growing economy and a vibrant private sector throughout the Empire State, creating new opportunities for an informed and engaged citizenry grounded in strong local communities and civic institutions.

For more information, visit www.empirecenter.org