Federal Budget Cuts Threaten Healthcare Across the Hudson Valley, Leaving Families Without Access to Care
Empire State Voices and Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic host an event to bring reliable, affordable healthcare to Haverstraw
HAVERSTRAW, NY — Over the weekend, Empire State Voices, Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Meals on Wheels Rockland and other community partners hosted a healthcare fair to connect community members with healthcare information, resources, and support.
Recent federal budget cuts from the Republican Tax Law threaten Medicaid and access to affordable healthcare for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. Congressman Lawler has repeatedly supported the Republican Tax Law, even though in NY-17 alone, 79,500 children and 20,600 seniors depend on Medicaid and other public health programs to get the care they need. Over 50% of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic patients use Medicaid as their health insurance.
“I am a 22-year breast cancer survivor, and I was diagnosed in my 30s, when I was in my third trimester. My daughter only survived as long as she did because she was able to get the home care she needed because of Medicaid,” said Karen from Yorktown. “In a time when so many New York families are losing access to their Medicaid and healthcare, it is great to see Planned Parenthood and Empire State Voices meeting families like mine where they are, and getting people essential care like cancer screenings and routine care.”
“Everyone deserves to get the healthcare they need, no matter their insurance status or their ability to pay. Even as our community continues to face attacks on access to healthcare, PPHP’s mobile health center is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care and meeting people where they are,” said Tricia Fleming, Vice President, External Affairs, Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic
“So many New York families that rely on Medicaid to get the care they need are suffering right now. And with more cuts, not only will individuals lose access to care, but there will be longer wait times for patients, fewer providers, and reduced services,” said Courtney Fields, Empire State Voices, Executive Director. “We will continue our work here in Haverstraw and across the Hudson Valley to uplift the voices of New Yorkers who have lost their healthcare access and educate people about the impacts of federal policy.”
During the event, Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic’s mobile health center was out and offered confidential services on-site, experts were available to provide information on enrollment and understanding new healthcare rules, and local small businesses provided food and family-friendly activities.
To learn more about Empire State Voices, 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
Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) provides sexual and reproductive health care in 10 health centers and two mobile health centers in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Suffolk counties. In 2025, PPHP provided services to over 31,000 patients in over 55,000 visits. It reached over 8,000 youth and adults in education and training programs and outreach events. PPHP has served the community for over 90 years and is dedicated to educating and empowering individuals to make responsible choices regarding their sexuality and sexual health. PPHP is headquartered in Elmsford, NY. For more information about PPHP services and programs, visit www.pphp.org. Find us on Facebook and Instagram.
