Medicaid costs continue to rise in New York state.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says the health care program for the poor and disabled spent $41.4 billion for the state fiscal year that ended March 31. That’s up 26 percent from the $32.8 billion spent four years ago.

The comptroller released the spending numbers this week in his annual report on the Financial Condition of New York State

The report said total state spending decreased by 1 percent, or $1.3 billion, from last year. But DiNapoli says that since 2008, state spending has grown 15 percent — almost double the rate of inflation.

(AP)