Guest Blog by Lara Kassel, Coordinator, Medicaid Matters New York

Medicaid Matters New York (MMNY) is a statewide coalition that advocates for the interests of Medicaid beneficiaries. As part of this work, MMNY is conducting a survey to assess the degree to which community-based organizations (CBOs) are engaged in DSRIP. DSRIP is an ambitious effort to change how care is delivered to the over six million New Yorkers whose care is paid for by the Medicaid program. It is important that such an effort include the safety net providers and CBOs who have roots in low-income, underserved communities that have a history of providing services to Medicaid beneficiaries.

Community-based entities of any type, in any part of New York State, are encouraged to complete the survey. The survey results will be used to help MMNY assess what the needs are around the state for advancing community interests in local DSRIP regions. It will also allow MMNY to conduct state level advocacy to ensure that the DSRIP process engages CBOs in ways that recognize their strengths and addresses barriers to their participation.

A link to the survey can be found here (scroll down), along with more background information about DSRIP. More information about DSRIP is available here, and you can find out which DSRIP entity is active in your region using this map.