BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) "This was a very tough decision for us," said Michael Lee, Chief Operating Officer of Evergreen Health. He explained the decision by the health organization and the Pride Center of Western New York, to deny Governor Kathy Hochul from marching in the upcoming Pride parade in Buffalo on June 4.
"We're currently looking at a fiscal cliff from from Medicaid pharmacy
benefit changes. The state is proposing to take away $14-million dollars annually from Evergreen Health and about $30 million from community health centers across Western New York."
The pharmacy benefit change is being negotiated right now in the state
budget.
"We came to the conclusion that this disproportionately impacts the LGBTQ community and if we lose the funding stream, we have to draw a line in the sand. That's what we did," noted Lee.
Governor Hochul's office had reached out to Pride Festival organizers in Buffalo for an invitation to participate in this year's festivities.
"We couldn't look at the reduction in services that negatively impacts the LGBTQ community and greet her in June with open arms. It just didn't seem right," added Lee.
Still, the overriding message from the Pride festival each year is about acceptance and inclusion. Could the decision end up hurting them?
Lee doesn't see it that way. "Pride is about inclusion. But it was also founded on taking a stand and holding people accountable and consequences. If you're going to have health policies that rip funding away from those that need it most, then you don't get to march in the Pride parade this year."
He notes that other states have done this without dismantling the federal drug pricing program, known as 340B. It's a little more nuanced, but the program is still intact. Lee said New York State wants to move forward
with a carve-out.