Sen. Charles Schumer says federal officials have approved a waiver allowing New York to reinvest $8 billion in Medicaid savings to support hospitals and improve health care.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said earlier Thursday that without the federal money, the state would have a health care crisis and hospitals would close, especially in Brooklyn.

Cuomo said Thursday evening that the savings generated by the Medicaid Redesign Team would allow the state to increase access and improve the quality of care for New Yorkers.

(AP)