Congressman Mike Lawler, alongside several of his New York congressional colleagues, has urged House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to take decisive action regarding changes to New York’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), spearheaded by Governor Kathy Hochul. The group sent a letter demanding that federal Medicaid funding for the program’s changes be withheld unless the State submits a State Plan Amendment (SPA) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and secures its approval.
The letter, signed by Representatives Nick LaLota (NY-01), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Marc Molinaro (NY-19), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), and Claudia Tenney (NY-24), highlights significant concerns over recent overhauls to the CDPAP program initiated by Governor Hochul.
Earlier this year, Governor Hochul implemented changes requiring the State to contract with a single fiscal intermediary (FI), effectively forcing hundreds of existing FIs in New York out of business. FIs play a critical role in delivering care to the CDPAP program’s hundreds of thousands of participants, who rely on it for essential, personalized care services.
Adding to the controversy, the Governor awarded the sole FI contract to Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), a company with a documented history of financial mismanagement and no prior experience operating in New York. Allegations of a rigged bidding process have also emerged, amplifying opposition to the overhaul.
Stakeholders, including participants, caregivers, and advocacy groups, have strongly opposed the changes, citing concerns over service disruptions and reduced quality of care. Congressman Lawler previously sent a letter in July urging the Governor to reverse the policy, but the concerns went unaddressed.
“Governor Hochul’s decision is reckless and endangers the care of countless New Yorkers,” said Congressman Lawler. “Until the proposed changes are thoroughly vetted and approved by CMS, federal funding should not support this flawed initiative.”
Lawler and his colleagues argue that federal oversight is essential to ensure accountability and transparency. With CDPAP serving as a lifeline for many vulnerable individuals, the push for CMS intervention aims to preserve the program’s integrity and ensure that it continues to meet the needs of its participants.
This call for federal intervention underscores a growing bipartisan demand for greater accountability in state-administered healthcare programs. As the issue develops, stakeholders hope for a resolution that prioritizes the well-being of CDPAP participants.
