In 2011, Rockland County taxpayers have paid more than $65 million to Medicaid, and that's simply too much, say some local lawmakers.It's why some Hudson Valley officials have proposed legislation that would shift Medicaid costs away from local counties and onto New York State instead.County Executive Scott Vanderhoeff (R-Rockland) says the county simply can't afford the costs any longer. State Sen. David Carlucci (D-Rockland), who is co-sponsoring the bill, says he's expecting an uphill battle. He says it would require Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) to agree to take on the $53 billion program.

In a statement, the governor said that the state is already coping with its own budget shortfalls.