On May 20th, Alice Bufkin, Associate Executive Director of Policy and Advocacy, provided testimony on the NYS Department of Health 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver. This proposed waiver would enable the State to draw down $13.52 billion from the federal government to improve Medicaid services and equity.

CCC, on behalf of the Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids Campaign, testified on the importance of devoting a significant portion of the funding to children’s services, particularly children’s behavioral health care. The comments urge the state to include the need to invest in the behavioral health workforce, address the needs of children with co-occurring needs, address the social-emotional health of young children and parents by strengthening advanced pediatric primary care models, and ensuring representation of New Yorkers with lived experience.