HUDSON VALLEY, NY — This Veterans Day, Empire State Voices joins the Hudson Valley community in honoring the brave men and women who have served their country while recognizing the devastating impact of the Republican Tax Law’s cuts to healthcare and food assistance for veterans.
Medicaid covers 1 in 10 veterans nationwide and more than 80,000 right here in New York. For many veterans, this is their only source of healthcare coverage, and they rely on it to get care for physical and mental health treatment. Additionally, 56,000 New York veterans receive SNAP benefits, but because of changes in the Republican Tax Law, many veterans are at higher risk of losing benefits.
In addition to the Republican Tax Law, the ongoing war in Iran and the administration’s tariffs are increasing everyday expenses, like groceries and gas. These policies combined are increasing everyday expenses and making it harder for veterans to access care, while giving tax breaks to billionaires.
“I’m an Air Force veteran, and I now represent lab techs at my local union. Despite my service and my job now, I and so many like me are struggling to keep up with rising costs – whether it’s making tough decisions in the grocery store or at the pump or watching people come to my office and weigh whether they can afford a cancer screening or their prescriptions,” said Joe from Pawling. “Veterans like me proudly made the decision to serve our country, and it’s past time our country started serving us back.”
“Veterans are tired of being used like political pawns for people in D.C. who care more about giving tax breaks to billionaires than protecting those who served, but we are still stuck paying the price for policy decisions that are hurting us and our communities,” said Pat, a Veteran from Westchester. “Today, we need relief and real solutions, not empty claims from those who say they care about Veterans, but supported cuts to our healthcare and food assistance.”
As veterans across the Hudson Valley continue to struggle with healthcare cuts and rising costs, Empire State Voices will continue fighting to ensure their voices are heard. To learn more, contact press@empirestatevoices.org.
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Empire State Voices is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. We are 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. To learn more about Empire State Voices, contact press@empirestatevoices.org
