For the third time, the state Health Department has delayed the release of records related to a controversial $1 billion Medicaid contract. They now need at least six more weeks to search for and redact these documents.
This delay means that early communications between the Health Department and Public Partnerships Limited (PPL)—the company awarded the statewide contract for Medicaid’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)—will remain hidden until at least February 20.
These records are essential for understanding why the state chose to consolidate the $11.9 billion program under a single contractor and how PPL was selected for this significant role. The Empire Center requested these records back on September 8, right after a Senate hearing scrutinizing the contract. Concerns have been raised that the Health Department may have chosen the winner ahead of time.
During that hearing, PPL’s Patty Byrnes testified that there were “no conversations” with state officials before bidding began in July 2024. However, she later admitted that discussions did occur in March and April of that year, prior to the approval of the bidding process.
To access these communications, the Empire Center has filed Freedom of Information Law requests with both the Health Department and the governor’s office. Senators James Skoufis and Gustavo Rivera are also seeking similar documents.
Previously, the governor’s office released just one email—an invitation to an online meeting involving advisors and officials from both the Health Department and PPL. Initially, the Health Department said it could provide the requested records by October 7, but that date has now been pushed back multiple times, with the most recent deadline set for February 20, 2026.
The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) allows Medicaid recipients with disabilities to choose their caregivers, who can be family or friends. This program has rapidly expanded, now covering about 280,000 people and costing around $11 billion as of 2024.
Previously, hundreds of companies acted as fiscal intermediaries for the CDPAP, handling payroll and other duties. However, last year, Governor Hochul and the Legislature decided to streamline these administrative functions under one contractor to save costs. This consolidation plan was approved in April 2024, with PPL winning the contract by September.
Interestingly, reports indicate that similar cases of stalled information requests have become common. A study from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press found that over 60% of public records requests in 2022 faced delays, indicating a troubling trend in transparency that policymakers need to address.
In a time when many Americans are seeking clarity in government dealings, transparency in contracts and decision-making processes is crucial. The outcomes of such delays can significantly impact public trust.
For further details, you can explore the New York State Department of Health’s official information related to CDPAP here and see the Empire Center’s insights here.
