NY Lawmakers: Cuomo Is Moving to Cut Funds to Fight Cancer

NY Lawmakers: Cuomo Is Moving to Cut Funds to Fight Cancer
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his girlfriend Sandra Lee ride in a breast cancer awareness motorcycle event in New York on June 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The Associated Press
2/22/2017
Updated:
2/22/2017

ALBANY, N.Y.—New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing a $25 million cut to programs that fight cancer, diabetes and other health threats.

The Democratic governor’s administration says specific reductions, to be made by state health officials, would make health programs more efficient.

Lawmakers are skeptical about the proposal in Cuomo’s budget. Democratic Sen. Liz Krueger says Cuomo should say which programs will be cut before the budget is approved.

The American Cancer Society opposes reductions, noting one program facing cuts funded 25,000 breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings for poor New Yorkers last year.

The administration says the cuts wouldn’t affect a separate $16 million program dedicated to breast cancer screenings.

Last year, Cuomo proposed big investments in cancer screening after his girlfriend, celebrity chef Sandra Lee, successfully battled breast cancer.