In Moderated Conversation, Warns of Threats to Hospitals and Nursing Homes as Part of Massive Medicaid Cuts in Budget Resolution
Monday, March 17, New York, NY – At the headquarters of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries called out right-wing efforts in Congress to gut hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding for Medicaid that would devastate the health of millions of New Yorkers, working-class Americans, middle-class Americans, young people, and seniors as the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Congressman Jeffries reaffirmed that House Democrats will stand on the side of the American people at all times and continue to fight back to prevent hospitals and nursing homes all across the country from shutting down.
“The central battle of the moment is uniting to fight back against the largest Medicaid cut in American history that will hurt working families, hurt children, hurt seniors and hurt Americans with disabilities. Cutting $880 billion from Medicaid will abandon older Americans in nursing homes, hospitals and community health centers all across the country,” said Leader Jeffries. “It’s going to be a battle that 1199SEIU, The Greater New York Hospital Association, healthcare workers across America, advocates and community leaders, members of the clergy, and of course, Democrats in the House and the Senate are going to have to continue to be involved in.”
Congressman Jeffries joined approximately 200 healthcare workers, hospital officials, community representatives, and faith leaders as part of a Monday afternoon Medicaid Teach-In moderated by Laura Stylez of Hot 97. Before the conversation and audience Q&A, officials from 1199SEIU addressed the potential impacts of massive federal cuts.
“Every New Yorker must know what is at stake for the health of our communities as extremists in Congress attempt to cut up to $880 billion in Medicaid funding,” said George Gresham, President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. “As a union of caregivers, 1199SEIU totally condemns attempts to further enrich billionaires by slashing critical healthcare funding. Medicaid is the singular most important healthcare program in our nation’s history, relied on today by 1 in 5 Americans, including 40% of all children. 1199SEIU members will fight tooth and nail to defend our communities, our patients, and our loved ones from these egregious cuts that would harm the most vulnerable.”
Medicaid is the largest source of government-funded health insurance in the United States and provides coverage for medical and long-term services to 72 million Americans, including low-income children, parents, seniors, pregnant women as well as people with disabilities. Medicaid covers nearly a third of the New York State population and almost half of all people living in New York City. Nearly half of the state’s children, half of all people with disabilities, and the majority of nursing home residents rely on Medicaid for care.
Because Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and the states, dangerous proposals to cut up to $880 billion in federal Medicaid spending could not only harm the health of 7 million New Yorkers but also the providers that care for them. New York’s Medicaid program already pays hospitals and nursing homes 30% less than the cost of care for treating a Medicaid beneficiary, and further cuts would erode their ability to provide services.
“To the faith community, Medicaid is more than a healthcare plan. It embodies a collective responsibility to protect the lives and well-being of our families, our neighbors, and our congregants. It reflects the principles we hold dear in our faith traditions: compassion, justice, and the sanctity of life,” said Pastor Jason Hendrickson of Restoration Tabernacle Church in Brooklyn, where Medicaid is a lifeline for nearly 1.3 million people, nearly half of all borough residents. In Brooklyn, enrollees include over 207,000 dual eligible enrollees on Medicaid and Medicare. “Our elected officials may not understand how critical this service is to our communities. We must urge them to maintain Medicaid for their health. It is our moral imperative to speak up for our congregants.”
The vast majority of New Yorkers support Medicaid and the essential care it provides to residents of the state, with 90% of respondents across the political spectrum saying the service is very or fairly important, and 84% opposing cuts, according to a December 2024 survey by the Healthcare Education Project.
About the Healthcare Education Project:
The Healthcare Education Project is an initiative of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and the Greater New York Hospital Association. Together, the two organizations represent over 450,000 healthcare workers and nearly 280 not-for-profit hospitals and continuing care facilities. The Healthcare Education Project’s mission is to protect and expand access to quality, affordable care for all Americans. For more information visit https://www.healthcareeducationproject.org.
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