Study: Almost Half of NY Has Government-Funded Health Insurance

Almost half of New York state's residents reportedly rely on federal programs for their health insurance.

Using statistics from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on the Medicare enrollees for each state, Capital New York reports there are 3.3 million Medicare users in New York, the fourth most in the nation behind California, Florida and Texas.

Using state health department figures, Capital New York also notes some 6.3 million New Yorkers are enrolled in Medicaid, second most in the nation, with about 700,000 of those enrollees eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

The state health department also reports about 500,000 people are getting insurance coverage through Obamacare.

The state's population is about 19.7 million.

But Medicare's sustainability is in jeopardy, the National Journal reports.

Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, tells the National Journal the rising prices of prescription drugs is one problem Congress has been avoiding.

"This issue of pharmaceuticals — making sure people can get the cures and that people
can afford them — is no longer an issue that can be ducked," he tells the National Journal. "Congress needs to tackle this issue of pharmaceuticals in a bipartisan way."

Texas Republican Rep. Kevin Brady, chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, adds that discussion needs to happen sooner rather than later.

"We know the sure way to end Medicare is to do nothing, is to pretend there isn't a problem," he tells the National Journal.

Related Stories:

• Main Fund for Medicare to Run Out of Money in 15 Years
• Medicare Plans to Pay for 'Death Panels' Counseling