New York Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to cut $25 million from 39 public health programs that fight cancer, diabetes and other conditions.
The Democrat's administration says it will be up to state health officials to decide where to make the reductions, which are intended to make public health spending more efficient. A spokesman says Cuomo's $152 billion budget proposal increases health care spending overall.
Some lawmakers aren't buying Cuomo's explanation. Democratic Sen. Liz Krueger, of Manhattan, says the governor should specify which programs will be cut before the budget is approved.
The American Cancer Society opposes any cuts, noting that last year the program funded 25,000 cancer screenings for poor New Yorkers.
Last year, Cuomo called for big investments to fight cancer after his girlfriend, celebrity chef Sandra Lee, successfully battled breast cancer.
(C) 2017 AP
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