Schumer commends proposal on Medicaid relief to counties

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration's proposed budget is a mix of good news and bad, Sen. Charles E. Schumer said Tuesday, but one item was good enough for him to take some of the credit.

Mr. Schumer, D-N.Y., cheered the administration's decision to seek funding to help county governments cover climbing Medicaid reimbursement costs, a cause Mr. Schumer championed in last year's economic stimulus.

North country governments could see as much as $10 million, Mr. Schumer said, which would come directly from Washington rather than being funneled through the state.

The money should help local governments avert layoffs, service cuts and property tax increases, Mr. Schumer said. Counties anticipating budget gaps may be able in some cases to fill them with the funding, he said.

The administration's request would extend the funding for the program, called the Federal Medical Assistance Percentages, for six months beyond the two years included in the stimulus.

In supporting the effort, Mr. Schumer has been especially outspoken about directing money to localities without going through the states. Funneling the money through Albany could add months to the process and cost communities money, he said.

"Albany mysteriously takes a big chunk of the money," he said.