The state allocated $18 million to help localities pay for the screening and treatment.

New York requires localities to pay 25 percent of Medicaid costs, the highest local burden in the nation.

Half of it will be federally financed, while the state and localities will each pay for 25 percent of the program.

New York is one of only five states that require localities to pay part of those soaring expenses.

Under the current system, the localities run and pay for part of programs like Medicaid but have little say in setting regulations for them.

Some other localities have paid that much to retain their franchises.

Then, as if to mollify the provincial officials, he told them: "All localities should pay attention to taking advantage of their assets.

The state requires localities to pay 25 percent of Medicaid costs, which have ballooned in recent years.

Right now, the state and localities each pay 25 percent of Medicaid costs, with the federal government paying the balance.

Legislators also agreed to create a new financing system to help localities pay for the higher fees.