More than fifty thousand patients passed through the emergency room at Upstate Medical Center last year. They came with medical emergencies that couldn't wait. But if Medicaid funding is cut, the hospital says those who come here may not get needed medical attention.

Dr. David Smith, President of Upstate Medical University says many who use the emergency room are uninsured, Without medicaid, the hospital would be forced to cut staff and eventually could have to divert patients to other hospitals.

In the past two years, Central New York hospitals have already lost more than five million dollars in Medicaid funding. Governor Paterson has hinted that much larger cuts could be on the way and every program, including Medicaid is on the table.

In this time of unprecedented fiscal challenges, the reality is that many worthy programs and initiatives will experience reductions in funding. Closing the state's substantial budget deficits will require many difficult decisions."

Decisions that could affect a lot more than emergency rooms. Ron Lagoe, Director of the Hospital Executive Council for Central New York, says cuts to Medicaid could force hospitals to cut or eliminate neonatal, long term and mental health care. Nursing homes would also be hit hard.