Spitzer Pledges To Reduce New York's Uninsured Population

Expanding access to health care for New York residents would actually cut state spending extensively, he said, because increasing the availability of primary care would reduce the need for expensive emergency-room care.

"We will also invest in better management of high-cost cases involving patients with multiple chronic illnesses," he said, noting such care makes up a disproportionately high share of health care costs.

"Better managed care will not just save money for patients and the state but will lead to better overall care," he insisted.

Spitzer offered a number of other proposals to revamp health care in the state, including plans, originally proposed last year under the administration of Gov. George Pataki, to close hospitals in communities with excess capacity.

He also called for revamping the long term care industry in the state. "We must shift spending away from expensive institutional nursing homes toward community and home-based alternatives, so seniors can have the care they want at a price they can afford," he said.

Spitzer also promised New York would use its extensive bargaining power under state-sponsored health care programs to negotiate lower costs for prescription drugs from both drug companies and pharmacy chains.

In other news, Spitzer has nominated Eric Dinallo, general counsel of the insurance broker Willis Group Holdings, New York, to be state insurance superintendent in his new administration. Dinallo would replace Howard Mills.