Garnet Health Medical Center announced recently that it was laying off 42 employees and eliminating services in Orange and Sullivan counties, attributing these cuts to lower federal reimbursements and anticipated federal cuts to the Medicaid program. Garnet Health provides health care services to more than 500,000 residents across the Hudson Valley and greater New York area at its locations in Orange, Sullivan and Ulster, employing more than 3,300 professionals and over 850 medical staff members.

New York State has estimated that the health care cuts in the bill lead to a $13.5 billion hit to the state’s economy every year, and lead to 78,000 health care jobs lost. More than 160,000 New Yorkers across the Hudson Valley’s four Congressional districts—including nearly 40,000 in NY-18 and NY-19 each—are at risk of losing health care coverage, and local hospitals in NY-18 are estimated by NYS to lose more than $20 million and nearly $25 million in NY-19. 

The bill would also sharply increase private insurance premiums for vulnerable New Yorkers due to the elimination of enhanced premium tax credits, increasing the average monthly cost of insurance premiums for a couple by $206 in the Mid-Hudson region, which is a 31 percent increase.

Cuts will be devastating

This should be a canary in the coal mine for what will happen at hospitals across New York if the GOP’s devastating health care cuts become law. Trump’s so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” is ugly to its very core, and will crater the Hudson Valley’s health care system. The recent layoffs citing the GOP’s looming Medicaid cuts are just the tip of the iceberg if this bill goes through. Millions of Americans could lose their health care, health care costs will go up, and hospitals will be forced to lay off workers, as we just saw happen here [when Garnet Health closed services and laid off employees].

Billionaires do not need a bigger tax break paid for by ripping away healthcare for Hudson Valley families. It only takes a few NY House Republicans to stop the largest Medicaid cut in history. We need NY Republicans to show us which side they are on with their actions.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D)
Washington, D.C. 

An existential threat to the vulnerable

Trump’s unprecedented health care cuts are already hitting home in the Hudson Valley—and this harm is only just beginning. That Garnet Health was forced to make this decision should infuriate every New Yorker. We’re seeing an existential threat to quality, accessible and affordable health care in the Hudson Valley—for our kids, seniors and Veterans—all so that Trump can pay for tax cuts for his billionaire friends. I am calling on all of my Republican colleagues, especially my fellow New Yorkers, to stand up and speak out against this legislation that is already devastating our communities.

U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan (D, NY-18)
Washington, D.C. 

Protect rural hospitals

Rural communities shouldn’t have to pay the price for billionaire tax breaks and corporate greed. I don’t know anyone in upstate New York who thinks we should have to drive farther, wait longer, or lose care altogether so the wealthy and big corporations can get another tax break. This cruel GOP bill slashes Medicaid funding and threatens to gut rural hospitals; what we’re seeing now is just a preview of what’s to come. I’m fighting to stop this bill and protect rural hospitals, keeping care close to home where it belongs.

U.S. Rep. Josh Riley (D, NY-19)
Washington, D.C.

Union stands against Medicaid cuts

For months, 1199 members have warned against the Republican budget that will devastate services, good jobs, and health care in the Hudson Valley. We’re already experiencing the bleeding edge of that devastation as jobs and services leave Garnet Health Medical Center. 1199 members stand shoulder to shoulder with elected leaders fighting massive, unnecessary cuts to Medicaid and Medicare and will continue to fight with everything we have to preserve lifesaving care and family-sustaining jobs in New York State.

Angela Lane
Vice president, Hudson Valley region, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East 
New York, NY