Per the notice below, Governor Hochul is highlighting National Health Center Week.

During National Health Center Week, Governor Hochul Joins Western New York Leaders to Sound the Alarm on Washington Republicans’ Devastating Cuts to Health Care

31,388 Will Lose Health Care Coverage in NY-24 Congressional District; 33 Percent Average Monthly Insurance Cost Increase for Certain Couples

‘Big Ugly Bill’ Negative Impact on NY-24 Health Care Funding of $241,200,755; More Than $31,247,472 Cut From Local Hospitals Due to Uncompensated Care Increases Alone

All of New York’s GOP Representatives, Including Rep. Tenney, Supported Cuts

During National Health Center Week, Governor Kathy Hochul today joined elected and community leaders in Western New York to sound the alarm on Washington Republicans’ devastating agenda, including the recently enacted “Big Ugly Bill” that rips away health care coverage from 1.5 million New Yorkers, cutting critical food assistance programs and pushing a disastrous trade war that is hurting small businesses and sending prices skyrocketing.  Republicans’ cuts to health care will result in an estimated 31,388 residents of NY-24 losing their health care coverage, and health care costs increasing 33 percent for the average couple who purchases Marketplace insurance with tax credits.  Republicans also slashed funding to local hospitals and health care services, with NY-24 set to face a total fiscal impact of $241,200,755, with hospitals losing $31,247,472 due to uncompensated care costs alone.

“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,” Governor Hochul said.  “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.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald 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.”

Audio 

By the Numbers: Republicans Slash Health Care for Western New Yorkers

Total Newly Uninsured in District: 31,388

• Individuals Losing Medicaid and Becoming Uninsured: 27,253 Individuals
• Losing Essential Plan and Becoming Uninsured: 4,135 

Total District Fiscal Impact: -$241,200,755

• Lost Essential Plan Funding: -$139,523,029
• Lost Federal Medicaid Funding and New State Medicaid Costs: -$101,677,726 

District Hospital Impact: -$31,247,472

• Hospital Impact of Essential Plan Cuts: -$11,949,091
• Hospital Impact of Medicaid Cuts: -$19,298,381 

Average Monthly Cost Increase for Marketplace Insurance for Those Receiving Premium Tax Credits

• Average Monthly Cost Increase for Couple ($): $259
• Average Monthly Cost Increase for Couple (%): 33 percent 

District hospital impacts are based solely on increased uncompensated care costs attributable to newly uninsured New Yorkers — actual hospital losses may be significantly higher due to likely additional impacts of federal Medicaid cuts. 

"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.”

Governor Kathy Hochul 

Essential Plan/Medicaid Cuts

Republicans’ cuts to health care and other benefits will hurt all New Yorkers.  The changes will eliminate insurance coverage for millions of New Yorkers, destabilize health insurance programs statewide, and have an overall fiscal impact on the State and the New York health care system of almost $13 billion per year.  These changes will make it harder for providers statewide to keep operating and make it more difficult for all New Yorkers to find care when they need it.

• More than 2 million New Yorkers could lose their current insurance coverage, including approximately 730,000 individuals who could lose Essential Plan (EP) coverage as more than half of EP's budget — $7.5 billion in federal funding — is eliminated, and a further 1.3 million New Yorkers who will lose Medicaid coverage due to new eligibility and verification hurdles.
• Of these 2 million people, 1.5 million New Yorkers are anticipated to become uninsured, with uncompensated care costs to hospitals and providers estimated to rise to more than $3 billion annually — which means less access to care and higher medical bills for New Yorkers.
• Analysis from the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) and the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) estimates a total $8 billion in annual cuts to New York’s hospitals and health systems, which could force hospitals to curtail critically needed services such as maternity care and psychiatric treatment, not to mention to downsize operations, and even close entirely.  These consequences will not only affect Medicaid enrollees, but also harm everyone who requires hospital care, leading to longer wait times and less access to critical services.

Representative Tim Kennedy said, “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.  As an occupational therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating it is when people can’t access the care they need – and I will not stop fighting to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.  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.”

Assemblymember Bill Conrad said, “There is of course nothing 'beautiful' about this reckless bill.  Its devastation threatens the very lives of our most vulnerable neighbors and loved ones.  Cuts this broad to healthcare are not only short-sighted, they're senseless and cruel, considering the impacts on our working-class families, children, and seniors, and our hospitals, health services, and long-term care facilities.  I proudly stand with Governor Hochul and New York State's leadership in condemning the hurtful, harmful agenda of the Republican Majority in Washington.”

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “At a time when New Yorkers are still recovering from recent economic and public health crises, Republicans have chosen to gut the very systems that keep our families healthy and our communities strong.  These devastating health care cuts will rip coverage away from 1.5 million New Yorkers.  They will drive up premiums by more than 30 percent and strip our hospitals of over $30 million in critical funding, forcing them to absorb the cost of care for patients with nowhere else to turn.  While they slash health care and food assistance to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, Republicans want the rest of us to pick up the pieces.  During National Health Center Week, we must make it clear: access to health care is a right, not a privilege, and we will not sit down while it is torn away from our neighbors.”

Niagara-Orleans Labor Council President Jim Briggs said, “This bill is big and beautiful if you are a billionaire.  For the rest of us it is a big and ugly hurt, especially for those who struggle the most.  As president of the Niagara-Orleans Central Labor Council and a labor leader for 30 years with the United Steel Workers, I joined with my brothers and sisters to work on legislation to improve the lives of working men and women.  This bill rolls back those hard fought gains as it reduces environmental protections, reduces food assistance, reduces support for health care, reduces jobs in the energy sector.  This bill reminds us elections have consequences and now we all pay the price - higher prices and higher deficits.  But, alongside Governor Hochul and Congressman Kennedy, we will never stop fighting for families and our future.”

Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. CEO and Executive Director Dr. LaVonne Ansari, PhD said, “Access to quality healthcare is essential for every New Yorker.  I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her swift action and leadership in protecting people from the long-term impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.  Families in both rural and urban communities depend on community health centers for primary care, preventive services, and lifelong support.  Her leadership helps protect the well-being of our communities — not just now, but for generations to come.”