Governor Kathy Hochul visited Western New York during National Health Center Week to address concerns about recent federal policy changes that will affect health care access in the state. The Governor, joined by local elected officials and community leaders, criticized the “Big Ugly Bill,” recently passed by Congressional Republicans, which she said would remove health care coverage from 1.5 million New Yorkers and cut funding for food assistance programs.
According to state estimates, the new law is expected to cause 31,388 residents in New York’s 24th congressional district to lose their health insurance. Of these, 27,253 are projected to lose Medicaid coverage and become uninsured, while another 4,135 will lose Essential Plan coverage. The fiscal impact on the district is estimated at $241 million in lost funding for hospitals and health services. Hospitals alone could face more than $31 million in additional uncompensated care costs due to an increase in uninsured patients.
Governor Hochul stated: “Washington Republicans slashed health care services for Western New Yorkers to fund tax cuts for their billionaire buddies, and my administration is fighting back using the full weight of New York State. As a mom who raised two kids in Western New York, I understand the affordability crisis facing working families. These devastating cuts will leave families unable to afford doctors appointments or life-saving treatments — it’s wrong, it’s unacceptable and I’ll fight like hell to protect New Yorkers in harm’s way.”
Dr. James McDonald, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, said: “These reckless, unprecedented cuts threaten the health and wellbeing of tens of thousands of New Yorkers. When families lose access to care and hospitals lose critical funding, everyone suffers. During National Health Center Week, we should be expanding access, not dismantling it. I thank Governor Hochul for consistently standing up for New Yorkers and protecting the essential health services they need and deserve.”
The legislation eliminates significant portions of federal support for both Medicaid and Essential Plan programs across the state. Over two million people statewide could lose their current insurance coverage—about 730,000 losing Essential Plan benefits as over half its budget ($7.5 billion) is eliminated; another 1.3 million may lose Medicaid due to stricter eligibility requirements.
As a result of these changes statewide uncompensated hospital care costs are projected to rise above $3 billion annually as more people become uninsured or underinsured—a trend that may force some hospitals to reduce services or close entirely.
Analysis from industry groups such as Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) and Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) projects total annual losses of $8 billion for hospitals across the state if these federal cuts continue.
Representative Tim Kennedy commented: “This Big Ugly Law is an assault on working families by Trump and Congressional Republicans, who are gutting healthcare to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires. These cruel cuts rip health insurance coverage away from our neighbors, drive up costs for families already struggling to get by, and force our hospitals to make impossible choices…I’m proud to stand with Governor Hochul and my partners in government to defend the right to affordable, quality healthcare and demand that Congressional Republicans Cancel the Cuts.”
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes added: “Spending cuts at the federal level will have dire consequences for not only the uninsured but also for the insured- as the price of health care will rise. I stand with our Governor in condemning this “Big Ugly Bill” that does nothing but fill the coffers of billionaires.”
Other local leaders echoed similar concerns about increased premiums—estimated at a 33 percent average monthly increase ($259 per couple)—and threats posed by reduced hospital funding on patient access throughout communities.
