New Yorkers Gather for a Community Forum on the Health Care Affordability Crisis Ahead of December 15th Open Enrollment Deadline
“Rep. Lawler needs to work with other members of Congress to develop a permanent solution to this problem, rather than just continuing to kick the can down the road.” -Lynn, Yorktown Heights
TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK — On Thursday, ahead of the December 15th Open Enrollment deadline, local residents gathered at Christ Episcopal Church in Tarrytown for a community forum on the ongoing health care affordability crisis facing Hudson Valley families. The event featured a moderated panel discussion with local advocates and policy experts who discussed the many legislative failures that have led to skyrocketing health care costs for New Yorkers of all income levels.
The past year has seen the Republican-led Congress levy repeated attacks against the health care infrastructure that New Yorkers rely on. In July, Congressional Republicans, including Congressman Mike Lawler, passed the Republican Tax Law, which cut nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid funding in order to pay for tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. Because of the cuts and burdensome new reporting requirements implemented by the legislation, it’s estimated that about 860,000 New Yorkers will lose their health insurance. In addition, 70 of New York’s 156 hospitals could be forced to reduce services or close their doors altogether as Medicaid funds they rely on dry up. Meanwhile, Congressman Lawler is hosting roundtable discussions with Dr. Oz, trying to spin these devastating cuts as an effort to ‘strengthen’ the programs.
Local residents gathered at Christ Episcopal Church in Tarrytown for a community forum on the ongoing health care affordability crisis facing Hudson Valley families. | CREDIT: Empire State Voices
Now, as the December 15th Open Enrollment deadline approaches, New Yorkers are facing yet another health care crisis. Key tax credits for households buying health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace are set to expire at the end of this year, sending monthly premium costs skyrocketing for thousands of Hudson Valley families. While only four more signatures are needed on the discharge petition to force a vote on a three-year extension of these credits, Congressman Lawler has so far ignored his constituents' pleas and refused to support the measure.
“Rather than working to reform the system and lower costs, Congressional Republicans have gone about dismantling and cutting the very programs that allow working families to access care,” said Dylan Wheeler, Regional Organizing Director for Empire State Voices. “Congressman Lawler himself has acknowledged the need to address this crisis of health care affordability that New Yorkers across his district are struggling under, yet he continues to do nothing to actually address the issue. There is only one plan on the table that could pass and extend these critical tax credits before they expire. If Rep. Lawler is serious about wanting to lower health care costs for his constituents, he needs to stop making excuses and help get the 3-year extension across the finish line.”
The past year has seen the Republican-led Congress levy repeated attacks against the health care infrastructure that New Yorkers rely on. | CREDIT: Empire State Voices
“I came out tonight because I’m interested in how we can all work together to preserve federal funding so that everyone can have access to good, affordable health care,” said Lynn, a resident of Yorktown Heights. “I currently use the Affordable Care Act marketplace, and next year, my family’s premiums will increase by $3,000. My husband has diabetes, so we can’t afford not to have insurance, but it’s getting to the point where it costs as much as my mortgage and property taxes. Rep. Lawler needs to work with other members of Congress to develop a permanent solution to this problem, rather than just continuing to kick the can down the road.”
“Health care is a major problem right now. We’ve heard a lot tonight about people losing their coverage and potentially going bankrupt because of health care costs, and I think it’s only going to get worse,” said Alison, a resident of Tarrytown. “Congressman Lawler actively voted to harm his constituents by cutting funding for Medicaid, cancer research, and Planned Parenthood. Now, he wants credit for supporting a completely inadequate extension to the ACA tax credits that doesn't do enough to help people. It's obvious that he cares more about pleasing the Republican Party and his rich donors than about his constituents having affordable healthcare.”
“Rep. Lawler needs to work with other members of Congress to develop a permanent solution to this problem, rather than just continuing to kick the can down the road.” -Lynn, Yorktown Heights | CREDIT: Empire State Voices
To learn more about Empire State Voices, please reach out to press@empirestatevoices.org
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About Empire State Voices
Empire State Voices (ESV) is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. ESV is fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same.
