NYS Nurses Association President appointed to Medicaid Redesign Team

LATHAM, January 12, 2011 - New York State Nurses Association President Karen A. Ballard, MA, RN, FAAN, has been appointed to Governor Cuomo’s Medicaid Redesign Team, a group charged with finding ways to save money within the Medicaid program for the 2011-12 fiscal year.

The Nurses Association represents the interests of more than 275,000 registered nurses around the state and serves as the collective bargaining agent for more than 37,000 RNs at 150 healthcare facilities.

“New York State is faced with a significant challenge to control the cost of Medicaid in this budget and beyond. Medicaid provides a critical healthcare safety net for many New Yorkers. Available staffing and adverse patient outcome data must be utilized to better inform decisions regarding Medicaid services, nurse staffing levels and the provision of quality patient care during times of fiscal crisis,” Ballard said.

The Medicaid Redesign Team, made up of New York’s healthcare leaders, must submit recommendations for overhaul of the Medicaid program by March 1 for the governor’s consideration in the budget process.

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 37,000 members, it is the state's largest professional association and union for registered nurses. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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