Western New York Coalition for Progress Issues Statements Regarding the Proposed Buffalo Casino and Medicaid Burden
July 12, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Alan Bedenko
alanbedenko@wnyprogress.org
(716) 903-6255
Buffalo, New York - The Western New York Coalition for Progress (“Coalition”) today issued two statements concerning issues of great importance to Buffalo and Western New York – the proposed Seneca Nation Buffalo Creek Casino and New York’s ever growing Medicaid burden.
First, the Coalition issued a statement in opposition to the Seneca Nation’s proposed Buffalo Creek Casino in Buffalo’s Cobblestone District, and its support of the current federal lawsuit filed by Citizens for a Better Buffalo, which seeks to prevent the casino’s completion. Citing the fact that the Seneca casino will be placed in sovereign nation lands in the heart of downtown Buffalo, the statement noted that while some meager economic benefit would result from a casino’s existence in downtown Buffalo, the negatives far outweigh any positive developments the casino might bring.”
Speaking on the subject matter, Coalition president Alan Bedenko said, “Indian gaming in Niagara Falls hasn’t had the promised positive effect on that city’s economy. To the contrary, many existing businesses have been harmed to the point of closing. That’s not the kind of progress Buffalo needs.”
Simultaneously, the Coalition issued a statement regarding New York’s Medicaid program and advocates for fundamental reformation of New York’s costliest-in-the-nation Medicaid program. In the statement, the Coalition calls on New York’s Legislature, Governor, and major gubernatorial candidates (whichever should be elected) to enact new enforcement procedures to prosecute those who perpetuate Medicaid fraud, and overhaul the system to ensure that high-quality healthcare is provided to those who need it but under a system which is similar to the average level of coverage provided by other states in our nation.
President Bedenko noted, “While Albany’s recent passage of a Medicaid cap is a good start, more is needed to get this runaway system under control. Until such reform occurs, the Coalition supports legislation that would require large multinational corporations to fund or provide health insurance for its employees, so that fewer of them will have to resort to Medicaid for their healthcare.”
Bedenko added, “Passage of such legislation will not solve New York State’s Medicaid problem, but it is one more step that needs to be taken to help lessen the taxpayers’ burden”.
The Western New York Coalition for Progress is a nonpartisan organization comprised of hundreds of Western New Yorkers dedicated to making our community and America a better place to live, work and raise a family. We are bound together by a common commitment to progressive values and we work to find progressive and pragmatic solutions to significant problems and develop policy proposals that foster a government that is "of the people, by the people, and for the people."
Copies of both statements are attached, and you can find the Western New York Coalition for Progress on the Internet at www.wnyprogress.org.
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