Levitra

Cutting coverage for such drugs would save the state $14.9 million next year, said Budget Director John Cape.Also under the plan, Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals and nursing homes would no longer be tied to inflation, saving the state more than $306 million.

The Legislature rejected a similar proposal last year."It's another in a series of assaults on New York's hospitals and nursing homes," said Bill Van Slyke, spokesman for the Healthcare Association of New York State.

The advocacy group, which represents virtually all hospitals and nursing homes in the state, estimates Pataki's proposals could cost the industry up to $1 billion."We're holding our breath to see the details of whatever might be in store for health-care providers," Van Slyke said.

"For some facilities, they may be holding their last breath."The Pataki plan also increases emergency room co-payments from $3 to $25 for low-income New Yorkers covered by Family Health Plus, unless the visit is a proven emergency.

At the same time, there will be no increase in the state fund used to reimburse hospitals for treating people who cannot pay, which is now $840 million.Providers said Pataki's actions would hurt services in an already woefully underfunded system.

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