Protect Our Care New York Launches “Sick of It” Campaign In Partnership With Empire State Voices As Republican Health Care Cuts Drive Up Costs and Rip Away Care
First reported by CNN, Protect Our Care Launches Campaign Channeling the Frustration of Everyday Americans and Calling on Lawmakers to Listen
Photo by Empire State Voices
Pearl River, NY – Earlier today, Protect Our Care New York, alongside Empire State Voices and advocates from across the Hudson Valley launched the “Sick of It! Fix Health Care Now” campaign in New York, a multi-month effort giving voice to the millions of Americans sick of Trump and Republicans in Congress gutting our health care. Speakers demanded action from lawmakers and called for solutions to lower costs, lower barriers to care, and fix our broken health care system.
New Yorkers are fed up with the growing health care crisis after Trump and Republicans like Rep. Mike Lawler slashed more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and gutted Affordable Care Act tax credits to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. Since then, more than eight million people, including 472,724 New Yorkers, have lost the coverage they relied on to see a doctor when they’re sick, while costs have skyrocketed for millions more. Over 1,000 hospitals, nursing homes, maternity wards, and other providers are closing, cutting essential services, or facing the risk of closure or cuts.
"New Yorkers are sick of paying more and getting less, and sick of watching politicians in Washington rip away health care so billionaires can get another tax break,” Chris Duyos, New York Director, Protect Our Care New York. “This campaign is about making sure elected officials hear directly from the people they're hurting. Every family deserves affordable coverage and the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can see a doctor when they need one, and we're not going to stop fighting until lawmakers fix what's broken."
“So many New Yorkers right now are struggling right now with higher health care costs while the wealthiest among us get richer,” said Zachary Tirgan, Empire State Voices Regional Organizing Director. “This is about priorities, and every day, Mike Lawler makes it more and more clear that he cares more about tax breaks for billionaires and landing TV appearances than making life easier for families in the Hudson Valley.”
“Every person deserves to know they can afford the care they need without worrying about how they'll pay the bills or whether their coverage will disappear,” said Justine from Bedford. “These cuts have real consequences for families, and we shouldn't have to fight this hard just to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy."
"People in the Hudson Valley are already feeling the effects of these health care cuts,” said Jeremy Koulish, Hudson Valley Resident. “Families shouldn't have to drive farther to find a doctor, worry about their local hospital staying open, or choose between paying for prescriptions and paying their rent. Our elected leaders should be fighting to make health care more affordable and accessible, not taking it away."
Throughout July, Empire State Voices will be engaging with communities across the district to uplift voices of New Yorkers who are feeling the impact of health care cuts in the Republican Tax Law, which Rep. Mike Lawler voted for and continues to support.
Read more about the devastating impact the legislation is already having on Hudson Valley families here.
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About Protect Our Care
Protect Our Care is a nonprofit organization that is leading the fight for better health care at lower costs.
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
