NEW REPORT: Hudson Valley Families Begin Paying the Price for Lawler's Health Care Vote
Empire State Voices report quantifies billions in Medicaid cuts, rising costs, and thousands at risk of losing coverage after Rep. Mike Lawler's vote
HUDSON VALLEY, NY — One year ago, the Republican Tax Law was signed into law, and health care cuts have already begun to take effect. Today, Empire State Voices released a new report, The Health Care Squeeze Tightens in the Hudson Valley, documenting the growing costs to Hudson Valley families after Rep. Mike Lawler voted for, and continues to support, this legislation.
Reporting shows that 28,000 people in New York's 17th Congressional District could lose their health coverage because of the law's historic cuts to Medicaid. It finds Hudson Valley families are facing higher health care costs, fewer protections, and the real possibility of losing the coverage they depend on.
The full report, The Health Care Squeeze Tightens in the Hudson Valley, is available here. Throughout the month of July, Empire State Voices will be engaging with communities across the district to uplift voices of New Yorkers who are feeling the impact of these cuts.
The Republican Tax Law’s cuts to New York’s Medicaid program could be devastating. New York's Medicaid program stands to lose approximately $12.8 billion annually—roughly $1,900 per state Medicaid enrollee—including more than $450 million annually in Westchester County, $240 million annually in Orange County, and $118 million annually in Dutchess County.
For Karen, a Yorktown resident and 21-year breast cancer survivor, those numbers represent families like hers. Medicaid allowed her daughter to receive lifesaving in-home nursing care and today helps her 88- and 95-year-old parents remain safely in their home.
"This isn't about politics for me; this is survival," said Karen. "Elected officials like Rep. Lawler should be protecting families who are caring for children, seniors, and loved ones with serious health needs, not making their lives harder to fund more tax breaks for billionaires."
Tracey, a Rockland County cancer survivor and single mother, spent more than two years without health insurance after losing coverage because of a pre-existing condition before the Affordable Care Act. Medicaid ensured her children had health coverage, and the Affordable Care Act allowed her to regain insurance.
"Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act didn't make me dependent; they made it possible for my family to survive," Tracey said. “When Rep. Lawler votes to make cuts to Medicaid, he is taking care away from families and kids. No family should be reduced to a line on a profitability graph. Health care is a right, and every resident of NY-17 deserves it.”
"Karen and Tracey's stories are a reminder that these cuts aren't abstract policy debates; they're about whether families can afford cancer treatment, keep aging parents in their homes, or get the care they need to stay healthy," said Courtney Fields, Executive Director, Empire State Voices. "As these cuts begin taking effect, Hudson Valley families are paying the price for Rep. Mike Lawler's vote. Rep. Lawler needs to fund, not slash Medicaid."
The report comes as WAMC highlights the growing impact of the Republican Tax Law on New York's health care system. Nearly 500,000 New Yorkers could lose Essential Plan coverage in July, with additional Medicaid cuts and draconian eligibility requirements taking effect in January. Experts warn the law will leave more New Yorkers uninsured while straining hospitals and making care harder to access for everyone.
To learn more about Empire State Voices, contact press@empirestatevoices.org###
About Empire State Voices
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
