Republican gubernatorial hopeful Marc Molinaro wants to shift the cost of Medicaid from county governments to the state -- a move designed to reduce property taxes, but it could also force taxpayers to shoulder the burden statewide.

“I think as the state begins to take back some unfunded mandates, particularly Medicaid, the goal will be to control growth. In fact, we know this is possible,” said Molinaro.

The plan would cost more than $7 billion once fully phased in. Governor Andrew Cuomo is skeptical the move could work without either cutting services like aid to schools or increasing taxes on the state level.

“You'd have to take it out of education or you'd have to raise taxes. They're not going to take it out of education as you know so it's just a shell game sham,” said Cuomo.

Molinaro late last week released the details of the Medicaid takeover, part of a tax reduction plan. The proposal would be phased in and rely on containing the cost of the health care program for poor and low income people.

“It's kind of incongruent to have the poorest areas of the state pay the largest local share of Medicaid. So it makes sense for the state to take over those costs, it's just of a big chunk to take on all at once,” said David Friedfel, Citizens Budget Commission.

And as to whether taxpayers would see a benefit, it depends on where you live.

“Some of the wealthier counties would actually see smaller decreases in their property tax bills assuming the savings are passed on, whereas the poorer upstate counties would see some significant savings from the state taking over these costs,” said Friedfel.

Cuomo is yet to release a detailed tax plan as he seeks a third term, but has pledged to continue to keep the state's cap on property tax increases in place.