On July 1, 2012, the interest rate on subsidized Direct Federal Loans for college students (also known as Stafford Loans) is set to revert to 6.8 percent for new loans, unless the U.S. Congress acts to prevent the increase.
Countless New Yorkers have found higher education the path to a more satisfying and financially secure life. Each year, college graduates, young and not-so-young, embark upon new opportunities that may have been unattainable without the benefits of college and university studies.
Lead poisoning continues to be the number one environmental poison for children in New York State. Lead is highly toxic and is most harmful to children in their early years.
New York State has a childhood obesity crisis. The New York State Department of Health estimates that one in four New Yorkers under the age of 18, or approximately 1.1 million young people, is obese.
In State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2009-10, All Funds spending for New York State amounted to $126.9 billion. Of this amount, approximately $38.4 billion or 30.2 percent was spent on Medicaid.
Obesity rates in New York State and the nation have jumped sharply in recent decades. Childhood obesity, in particular, has become much more common – nearly tripling nationwide since 1980.
Asthma is a major public health problem in New York State and nationally.
Medicaid provides health insurance coverage to more than 6 million New Yorkers and is projected to cost a total of $62 billion from federal, State and local sources in State Fiscal Year 2016.
New York’s Medicaid program is undergoing major changes, with ambitious plans for further modifications just ahead. The State’s efforts to slow spending growth are showing measurable progress, with average beneficiary costs declining while enrollment continues to grow.
The State Health Innovation Plan, New York’s roadmap for achieving the “Triple Aim” of better care, better population health and lower health care costs, describes the prevalence of diabetes as “arguably our biggest looming health challenge.”
