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Q&A

CM Mealy questions OMB on home-delivered meals reimbursement gap

New York City Council · Jun 9, 2026 · starts 2:37:24 · 1 min 19 sec

Mealy raises that CBOs are reimbursed $14.78 per meal when the true cost is $16.17, asking how the gap will be addressed. Solomon notes the per-meal rate was increased by $1 and that OMB continues discussing appropriate costs with the agency, while Mealy emphasizes CBOs are getting shortchanged.

Darlene Mealy

Is the administration considering adding funds to New York City agent budget to support high reimbursement rate?

Darlene Mealy

For home delivered meals to cover the true cost.

Darlene Mealy

About right now, you're saying it's $14.78.

Darlene Mealy

But when the administrations get reimbursed, it's really $16.17.

Darlene Mealy

How would you...

Darlene Mealy

Reimburse them with that gap.

UNKNOWN

So as of the executive plan, we've programs contracted budgets $81.1 million, supporting 4.8 million meals for older New Yorkers.

UNKNOWN

And so we increased the per meal rate by $1.

UNKNOWN

We regularly address the change in cost as appropriate.

UNKNOWN

Patrick, I'm going to go ahead.

Darlene Mealy

So what is the appropriate cost now?

Darlene Mealy

16 or $17.

UNKNOWN

We continue to discuss that with the agency to make sure that we're covering

UNKNOWN

What is appropriate.

UNKNOWN

We know that there's outreach in this area.

UNKNOWN

So we're working with agency on it.

Darlene Mealy

But you know the CBOs, they are getting reimbursed half of what they really need.

Darlene Mealy

That's not fair to the CBOs just as well.

Darlene Mealy

Thank you.

Linda Lee

Okay, great.