Healthcare Education Project advocate Cynthia Ngombe is fighting to protect Medicaid.
On Feb. 19, Ngombe joined Rep. Laura Gillen (NY-04), Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and other healthcare advocates to oppose budget cuts and protect health care access for the over 100,000 Long Islanders who rely on Medicaid. Currently, 25% of children and 33% of emergency room visits, clinic-based visits and outpatient surgeries are covered by Medicaid in Nassau County.
“Medicaid is under attack from Washington, D.C.,” said Cynthia Ngombe. “Federal cuts would slash critical services that keep New Yorkers healthy and our communities safe – in areas like maternal health, mental health, and the emergency room. All New Yorkers would be impacted, but our Black, Latino, and low-income, including rural communities, would be hit hardest by our Medicaid cuts. Access to quality healthcare is a right. It’s New Yorkers’ top priority.”
“We need to be working to protect and strengthen access to healthcare, not ripping it away from seniors, children and veterans on Long Island who count on Medicaid to access the life-saving care that they need,” said Rep. Laura Gillen.
“We’re talking about people’s lives. This is not like a pothole. This is about people’s prescription drugs, their healthcare, and we’ve got to get realistic in this country about what’s important,” Solages added. “People’s premiums have increased. They’re deciding whether to buy food or prescription drugs, and other essential services, rent, and the American people are crying out for relief,” said Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages.
Read the rest of this article at the Long Island Herald.