RENSSELAER COUNTY PINCHED, WELFARE CHIEF SAYS.(Local)

Byline: Joe Picchi Staff writer

Social Services Commissioner John Beaudoin warned Monday that the growing cost of Medicaid is "devastating" Rensselaer County.

Beaudoin said the county, like many others statewide, is caught in a "pincer movement" of a declining economy, a deepening recession and the loss of revenue from the state.

In an appearance before a legislative committee, Beaudoin said the county now pays more than $53 million in Medicaid costs - $8.7 million is locally funded and the rest comes from the state and federal governments. He said "half of the recent property tax hike" went for Medicaid.

Beaudoin said other public …