Governor Kathy Hochul visited Western New York to speak out against recent federal policy changes that she says will negatively impact health care and economic conditions in the state. The Governor was joined by local elected officials, labor leaders, and community advocates during an event in Niagara County.
Hochul criticized what she called the “Big Ugly Bill,” recently passed by Congressional Republicans, which she said would remove health care coverage from 1.5 million New Yorkers. According to her remarks, this legislation could lead to 31,388 residents of NY-24 losing their health care coverage and a 33 percent increase in costs for couples who purchase Marketplace insurance with tax credits. She also stated that hospitals in NY-24 are expected to lose over $31 million due to uncompensated care costs as part of a total fiscal impact exceeding $241 million.
During her speech, Hochul highlighted other issues such as cuts to food assistance programs and new tariffs resulting from trade policies with Canada. She said these tariffs would raise prices on goods and hurt small businesses, tourism, and cultural organizations throughout the region.
The Governor acknowledged the work of Dr. Holmes at a local institution, praised Congressman Tim Kennedy for his representation of the region, and thanked several other community leaders present at the event.
She discussed how higher prices on groceries and building materials are affecting families and homebuilders. Hochul described impacts on tourism due to strained relations with Canada: “We used to get 1,400 Canadians visiting every month, now it’s 40.” She attributed declines in visitors at places like children’s museums and downtown areas to recent federal actions.
Hochul linked the cuts in Medicaid funding to possible layoffs among hospital workers statewide—estimating 34,000 job losses overall including about 1,000 in NY-24—and warned that reduced services could affect all residents regardless of whether they rely directly on Medicaid.
She noted: “I also want to say this — despite the fact that half of all New York children are on Medicaid, one third of all New Yorkers are on Medicaid — even if you’re not on Medicaid, a hospital closes in a more rural area or they have to scale back their services… it is everybody.”
Hochul also spoke about efforts by her administration and legislative allies to put money back into family budgets through tax cuts and rebates for parents with young children. She said these measures are being undermined by rising costs associated with federal tariffs.
Concluding her remarks, Hochul encouraged those present to mobilize their communities ahead of future elections: “History will judge us in this moment. Where were we? What did we do?… We stand up and fight.”
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