We should all worry about where NY is going on home care

N.Y. What are you hiding from us with the transition to a single (FI) Fiscal Intermediary, (PPL) Public Partnership LLC, for the (CDPAP) Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program? Your lack of transparency puts this whole transition in question! 

The home care transparency act bill S9142/A10537 seeks to establish basic oversight of PPL’s failed management of the multibillion dollar CDPAP program. Replacing the existing limited reporting provision currently in place and allowing “the commissioner of health to provide the states oversight responsibilities with accuracy, regularity, and transparency.”

Thank you to those who introduced it, those that signed on and supported this bill. But sad to say that as the session ends in Albany they couldn’t even get this basic bill to the floor for a vote, to solidify transparency into this failed transition to a single FI for the CDPAP. It sits stalled in the Health Committee. Did those in power who seem to be afraid of transparency prevent it from reaching the floor? Is it because Albany and this Governor continue to try and silence our voices as they seek to put the PPL’s takeover for CDPAP controversy behind them especially during a election year? Oversight and Transparency should be the gold standard especially for a multibillion dollar contract. 

Waste, abuse and fraud was the reason given for going to a single FI, but the lack of transparency puts that all in question! Why was the NYS comptroller Tom DiNapoli written out of his oversight role for the PPL’s contract? Stating that “being written out of the oversight role for the PPL contract was unfortunate.” Unfortunate would not be the word I would use.  Maybe deliberate would be a better word, a action aimed at achieving a specific goal of not letting anything stand in the way of PPL receiving that multibillion dollar contract! NOW IS THE TIME TO AUDIT!

Mr. DiNapoli! Transparency will tell us if the state is really saving over a billion dollars as they claim, and if that is true, is it on the backs of our loved ones as so many have been forced out of the program? 

Transparency will also answer the question of why did NY choose a private equity firm when Hochul speaks about these private equity firms, categorizing them in disparaging terms. Hochul says they are “a powerful force, a greedy conglomerate gobbling up housing stocks, not from your community, doesn’t understand our values and It’s tragic.” Then why was a private equity firm given a multiBILLION dollar contract for CDPAP? (See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n1XE2TUMTU – starts around 730.)

NY State Health Commissioner McDonald was asked during the joint legislative budget hearing in February 2026 “do Private Equity firms belong in Health care delivery, specifically Medicaid?” His response was “We need to be a little nervous about Private equity firms. Their incentives aren’t necessarily aligned with outcomes, their assigned with return investment to share holders. It’s a legitimate concern.” Amir Bassiri, Medicaid Director, says “there was no mass exodus” as he shares numbers of caregivers and consumers who have left the program since the takeover.

In January 2025, there were 280k consumers and 400k caregivers. As of this budget hearing there are 220k consumers and 280k caregivers left. That’s 60k less consumers and 120k less caregivers. Where have they gone? An unknown number have gone to traditional care, but Sarah and I have gone nowhere. Are we even counted or just forgotten by the system? Are these numbers even real? With the lack of transparency will we ever know? (A link of these statements by McDonald starts around 226, and Bassiri around 256.)

Let us not forget Hochul’s first plan was to remove the designated representative (an unpaid position) that would only have saved money by eliminating those that need a Designated rep. When that failed she went to the single FI. Destroying the program one consumer and caregiver at a time! Doing all of this with no stakeholder input. We all suffer when our leaders don’t listen!

Our leaders and law makers need to understand the consequences of the decisions they make on behalf of those they serve. I was forced out of CDPAP upon the takeover of PPL a private equity firm, as my daughter’s paid caregiver. The inadequate health insurance with it’s high deductible and premium was financially unattainable for me. I am now left with the question if I can financially keep our home. Sarah cries when I tell her we may have to sell our home and move. I cry because I am sad for her and simply exhausted.

We should all worry about where NY is going on home care. Because those in power seem to be losing their values and not upholding the oath they took to serve and protect EVERY New Yorker. We all need to hold our lawmakers accountable when they fail at the oath they took and put our loved ones in harms way.

Governor Hochul, local law makers and leaders; I will never apologize for Sarah’s life. What I will do is fight for her rights till my last breath, as NY seems to disregard Sarah’s life and sees her only as a financial burden.

Doris Behan

Update: My response to the Department of Justice lawsuit filed June 16 against New York State:

Because of their lack of transparency, oversight and unwillingness to listen to the consumer, caregivers and advocates, New York State and Governor Hochul put a target on the CDPAP home care program with the failed PPL transition. Now, the consequences are becoming clear, with the Department of Justice filing a lawsuit alleging fraud in the overhaul of New York’s $11 billion Medicaid home care program. While I welcome the accountability that this DOJ lawsuit may bring, I am deeply concerned about the long-term impact on the program and the people who depend on it. As we all know, the federal government is making significant cuts to Medicaid and has not been supportive of home care programs—especially those that allow family members to be paid caregivers.

If lawmakers had listened to consumers, caregivers, and advocates when this crisis first began, we might not be where we are today. The warnings were there, but they were ignored. New York, do better. Stop creating crises for vulnerable people and start doing your job.

The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. See “Leave a Reply” below to discuss on this post. Comments of a general nature may be submitted to the Letters page by emailing [email protected].