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Lots of locks cut, and lots of money Allegany raised, during Goin’ Bald for Bucks County to NY: OLEAN TIMES HERALD 716-372-3121 • BRADFORD PUBLISHING COMPANY
Don’t raise county Medicaid contributions
By Bob Clark
BELMONT — Allegany County officials joined the chorus against raising counties’ contributions for Medicaid costs. The Allegany County Board of Legislators approved a resolution with a voice vote requesting the state maintain a flat rate for Medicaid expenses for counties and New York City in the 2020-21 budget now under review. “This is the No. 1 property tax driver in the state, not only Allegany County,” said Chairman Curt Crandall, R-Belfast, after the resolution passed unanimously. Brooks Harris, R-Alfred, said that the attempt to raise the payments by counties is an example of failed leadership in Albany. “I’m disgusted with the governor, to be frank,” Harris said., accusing the governor of pushing the increase in expenses off onto county taxpayers because of the governor’s “inability to balance his own budget.” He noted that the increase could cost local taxpayers an extra $1.5 million on top of the $10 million already going to Medicaid New York is looking at a $6.1 billion deficit in 2020-21, about $4 billion of which is Medicaid costs. The state is looking for the counties to pay a greater share if their Medicaid costs exceed 3%. The state froze counties’ payments in 2015 in an attempt to halt skyrocketing property taxes. In most states, the state’s 50% share of Medicaid is borne by the state government. However, since the inception of Medicaid in the 1960s, New York has attempted to ease the burden of covering the disproportionately large population of recipients in New York City by requiring contributions from counties to cover half of the state’s costs. Currently, the rate is around 12% of the total expenditures, or about half of what the counties would be paying if the freeze had not been implemented. According to the state Department of Health, Allegany County had around 10,500 Medicaid enrollees in 2013, the most recent year from which data is available. Of the 5.3 million Medicaid enrollees, 3.23 million were in New York City, while there were around 2.07 million in the rest of the state. The resolution noted that, despite claims from See Medicaid pg 4...
Kate Day Sager photo Cuba-Rushford Elementary School student Lauren Smith sits patiently for beautician Elise Kunz while teacherErica Quattrone (at right) provides support during the school’s Goin’ Bald for Bucks fundraiser Friday at the campus.
By Kate Day Sager
CUBA — The chants of “Lau-ren, Lau-ren” got louder with each shout as Lauren Smith sat in a chair Friday to have her long, blond hair cut in front of a gymnasium full of several hundred Cuba-Rushford Elementary School students. Lauren, 7, as well as other students and staff at the school, had their hair cut, shaved or dyed for Goin’ Bald for Bucks to benefit Roswell Park Cancer Research Institute in Buffalo. The event at the school had 26 student and staff participants who raised a total of $10,300, said Principal Kevin Erickson. It is the second time in four years the school has participated in the event. A team consisting of Lauren and her former teacher, Erica Quattrone,
raised $3,200, the highest amount at the school. Both planned to have their long, blond locks cut. Lauren, who has Down syndrome, is a former student of special education teacher Quattrone. Both wanted to participate in the event to honor or memorialize friends or relatives who have had cancer. Moments before the two had their hair cut, Quattrone admitted she was somewhat nervous. “Yeah, I’m just a little nervous, but it’s all for a good cause,” she said. Lauren looked uncertain, as well, and shed a few tears when her fair was finally cut. Afterward, however, she spun around on the gymnasium floor so all of her classmates in the bleachers had a full view of her new look. Quattrone’s husband, Nick, an employee at
Roswell Park, was also at the event and thanked everyone for their efforts and sacrifices to help the facility. “I’m lucky to work with a lot of amazing people — doctors, nurses and researchers,” he said. “And they’re all there to cure cancer.” Lauren’s mom, Charlene Smith, said she was proud of her daughter. “I’m so happy because this goes for a wonderful cause,” Smith said. “I’m very sad to see her cry (about the haircut) but I think she’ll get used to it.” Another parent, Robert Grimes, was taking pictures of his son, Zavier, 6, getting his hair shaved. He explained why his son wanted to participate. “My dad, who is over there, Leonard Grimes, has lymphoma cancer, so (Zavier) is doing it for Papa,” Grimes said while
looking in the direction of his father. Meanwhile, across town, students at Cuba-Rushford Middle High School were also participating in that school’s fifth-annual Goin’ Bald for Bucks. Teacher David Volz said the school had 18 student, staff and community participants who raised $9,000 in pledges before the event even started. To date the school has raised more than $37,000 for Roswell Park. “This year’s goal was $7,500, but we are currently at $9,224 and counting as we approach the event on Friday,” Volz said earlier this week. Volz said other fundraising activities sponsored by the Teen Leadership class that led up to the Goin’ Bald for Bucks included the candy gram drive, hat days and Cancer Awareness Color Week.
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