Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Services Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Legislators warn federal Medicaid cuts would shift large costs to Tompkins County; county says Medicaid costs are a growing share of levy
Summary
Lawmakers and county administration raised alarms about possible federal Medicaid funding cuts and the potential for local tax increases to cover the shortfall; County Administrator Corso said Medicaid accounted for about 23% of the county—s 2025 tax levy.
Several Tompkins County legislators on May 6 told colleagues they are preparing for the possibility of reduced federal Medicaid funding and the local budgetary pressure such cuts could cause.
Legislator Shauna Black, who said she had spoken with federal offices, told the legislature that federal reductions are being discussed and urged constituents to contact representatives. "If the county has to pick up the tab or at least a portion of the tab for Medicaid, it's gonna be a lot of money," she said.
Legislator Anne Korman said reported federal proposals could cut Medicaid spending by about $880 billion over 10 years nationwide and estimated the state-level effect could amount to roughly a 30% reduction for New York—s federal funding share, a change she said would shift costs to localities and endanger rural providers and hospitals.
At the meeting County Administrator Corso stated a county-level figure: "based on the 2025 budget, [Medicaid] contribution from the county is about 23% of our tax levy," he said. The administrator—s comment was the most specific county fiscal figure presented at the meeting and framed subsequent budget planning discussion.
Other legislators and staff urged the legislature to factor Medicaid risk into upcoming budget conversations and to continue nonpartisan outreach to federal and state officials. Several speakers noted the potential for increased strain on local services, including mental-health, addiction and emergency departments, if federal dollars are cut and state or county budgets must absorb the difference.
No formal county action was taken at the meeting; legislators asked administration to include Medicaid assumptions and contingency plans in the 2026 budget process.
