Rockland Reporter

Governor Kathy Hochul's administration is facing criticism over the handling of New York's home healthcare overhaul. Initially, officials insisted that the transition was proceeding as planned, but a whistleblower has described the process as chaotic. Consequently, the administration has delayed the transition.

The $9 billion project aimed to consolidate payroll services under Public Partnerships LLC (PPL). However, PPL has struggled with high call volumes and other demands, leading to delays. This situation affects elderly and disabled residents who rely on these services.

Congressman Mike Lawler commented on the situation: “Kathy Hochul’s encore to her mishandling of the corrections officers strike is a masterclass in chaos, and now the most vulnerable New Yorkers are paying the price.” He further criticized the changes for creating confusion and risking lives.

Issues have arisen from reduced oversight measures such as skipping consumer sign-offs on time cards and insufficient staffing at PPL. Despite previous dismissals of concerns by Hochul's team, they have now reconsidered just before implementation. Congressman Lawler and others had urged intervention from Health and Human Services (HHS) since mid-2024 to prevent problems in New York State's home healthcare system.

Lawler emphasized: “The Department of Health and Human Services must step in immediately to protect these essential services. At the same time, the Department of Justice needs to investigate the credible allegations of bid rigging in this broken contracting process. New Yorkers deserve answers.”

Congressman Lawler represents New York's 17th Congressional District, covering parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.