Local Concern Growing as Medicaid—the Nation’s Largest Healthcare Insurance Program Serving Millions of Children, Seniors, and People With Disabilities—Faces Prospect of Massive Cuts

WHO: 1199SEIU, NYSNA, CWA, Dunkirk Mayor, other elected leaders, faith leaders and concerned citizens

WHAT: Press Conference 

WHEN: Tuesday, May 13 from 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM

WHERE: Gazebo at Washington Square Park, 501 Park Ave, Dunkirk, NY 14048

WHY?:  Caregivers, members of 1199SEIU, faith and community leaders are joining together to call on Rep. Nick Langworthy (US District 23)—who sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce which is marking up a proposed budget—to reject any cuts to Medicaid, a vital program for millions of New Yorkers and people around the United States.

Medicaid provides critically needed healthcare coverage for nearly 80 million people–including close to 40% of children in the United States. Seven million New Yorkers, including nearly half of the state’s children, half of all people with disabilities, and the majority of nursing home residents rely on Medicaid. In addition, 46% of all pregnant women in New York have their births covered by Medicaid. In Langworthy’s district alone 193,000^[1] people rely on Medicaid as their primary health insurance coverage.

Langworthy's district has 41 nursing homes, with many residents dependent on Medicaid. In addition, Medicaid pays for 24% of in-patient hospitals stays at facilities like Brooks Memorial Hospital. 

Congressional Republicans are determined to cut vital health insurance coverage to millions of children, adults, people with disabilities and the most frail and elderly citizens all to fund tax cuts for billionaires and corporations. These tax cuts for billionaires are nothing more than a target to hard working families and struggling communities in both rural and urban areas. 

New York faces the loss of 72,000 health care jobs^[2] and would lose $6.7 billion dollars in federal funding in 2026.  These devastating cuts come at a time when most hospitals and nursing homes are experiencing staffing issues because of the multi-year pandemic. These drastic cuts will disrupt care and programs essential for health and productivity of those who rely on Medicaid.

Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and the states, and it is supported by 77 percent of Americans. Deep Medicaid cuts would have a devastating impact on state budgets, forcing state leaders to make impossible choices regarding cuts to vital services.

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in New York and nationwide. We represent over 450,000 members throughout New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C.  Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.

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^[1] Map: Medicaid Enrollment by Eligibility Group | KFF
^[2] Medicaid, SNAP Cuts Could Trigger Job Loss, Less State Revenue | Commonwealth Fund