KINGSTON, NY — After Trump’s federal funding cuts kicked more than 46,000 New Yorkers in the Hudson Valley off their health insurance plans,  U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday, October 29 stood at the Institute for Family Health in Kingston to announce his new legislation—the Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act—to repeal these devastating cuts and restore health insurance for New Yorkers who do not qualify for job-based insurance or Medicaid coverage.

Last year, Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” eliminated the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies New York State used to fund the Essential Plan. This created a loss of $7.5 billion, more than half of the Essential Plan program’s funding. To compensate, New York sought and received federal approval to return the program to its original design under the Basic Health Plan, as permitted by the ACA. The change will allow the state to maintain coverage for the 1.3 million Essential Plan enrollees earning less than $40,000 a year, but those earning more have lost their coverage.

Schumer’s Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act would restore health coverage to the more than 450,000 New Yorkers who were kicked off New York’s Essential Plan due to Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” that Congressional Republicans rushed to pass last year. It is estimated that 178,000 New Yorkers who lost coverage have been unable to afford or secure other insurance and remain fully uninsured. This loss in coverage is considered the most rapid decrease in health insurance access in New York’s history.

This bill would repeal the GOP’s premium tax credit eligibility restrictions, fully restoring funding for New York’s Essential Plan and providing all states with the option to expand coverage through the ACA’s Basic Health Plan from 200% to 250% of the federal poverty level without requiring the administration’s approval.

This legislation is led by Senator Schumer and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and cosponsored by the entire New York Democratic delegation, including: Senator Gillibrand, Leader Jeffries, and Representatives Clarke, Espaillat, Gillen, Goldman, Kennedy, Latimer, Mannion, Meeks, Meng, Morelle, Nadler, Riley, Ryan, Suozzi, Tonko, Torres, and Velázquez.

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“The ‘Big, Ugly Bill’ has been a disaster that has left New York families sicker, poorer, and less safe. Trump and Congressional Republicans promised lower health care costs, but instead they delivered soaring premiums, sky-high deductibles, and coverage ripped away from millions,” said Senator Schumer. “Now, they’ve kicked more than 46,000 New Yorkers in the Hudson Valley off their insurance plan, and many cannot afford alternatives. Leaving working families without health insurance isn’t policy; it’s punishment that also undermines public health and the health of our vital hospitals and community health centers. That’s why I’m introducing the Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act to reverse this cruel policy and restore health insurance to Upstate New Yorkers.”

New York’s Essential Plan has been exceedingly successful since it was enacted in 2015, providing comprehensive and affordable health insurance to nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers at cheaper rates than private insurers. As a result, New York State has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the nation.

Schumer added, “I’m proud to be working with the entire New York Democratic delegation in the fight against Trump’s callous and calculated policies that have ripped health insurance away from families and made life harder for hardworking New Yorkers. I’ll keep fighting tooth and nail to lower costs and restore the affordable health care coverage families rely on.”

“For over a year now, we’ve felt the devastating consequences of Trump and Republicans’ health care cuts right here in the Hudson Valley. Trump and spineless rubber-stamp Republicans in Congress cut $1 trillion from your health care and food assistance to fund a tax cut for billionaires – and they specifically targeted New York’s Essential Plan, ripping healthcare from more than 15,000 people in our district,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “It’s cruel, un-American, and the exact opposite of everything our community stands for. On behalf of the 450,000 New Yorkers kicked off their insurance, we’re fighting back. I’m incredibly proud to join our entire state Democratic delegation in introducing this legislation to reverse the cuts, restore your coverage, and send a clear message to Trump: Don’t mess with New York.”

“When people lose access to their healthcare, we all lose. It often shows up in people delaying care until preventable conditions become dire emergencies, flooding ERs and driving up healthcare costs for everyone. Nearly half a million New Yorkers have lost their health insurance because of Congressional Republicans’ H.R. 1. That is unconscionable and the antithesis of government’s most fundamental responsibility to protect the people it serves. I thank Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the entire New York Democratic Delegation for fighting to reverse this damage through the Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act. Congress must pass this legislation and restore health insurance for New Yorkers who never should have lost it in the first place,” said NYS Senator Michelle Hinchey.

“Families who got kicked off the Essential Plan but need coverage are paying $800 per month in premiums for plans that barely do anything, and some have even chosen to take a pay cut so that they can qualify for Medicaid. This is a cruel, and frankly embarrassing, state of healthcare to experience in the wealthiest country in the world. The federal administration needs to restore the Essential Plan immediately,” said Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha.

“The so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill Act' of the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress has been anything but that, making deep cuts to this country's safety net and driving up health care costs for millions of Americans. The legislation introduced by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez helps to repair the damage that was done, restoring affordable health coverage to nearly 450,000 New Yorkers whose premiums skyrocketed as a result of Republican budget cuts, and will protect more families from losing care ever again. Thank you to Senator Schumer, Representative Ocasio‑Cortez, and the full New York delegation for fighting to keep our communities covered,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger.

“H.R. 1 is devastating the most vulnerable people in our community, the working families and neighbors who relied on the Essential Plan to see a doctor or fill a prescription. When coverage disappears, people put off care, skip medications, and end up in the emergency room. That costs all of us, in higher bills and an overburdened health system. Leader Schumer's Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act would help Ulster County residents get their coverage back and stay covered. I'm grateful to him for fighting for families here in the Hudson Valley,” said Peter Criswell, Chair of the Ulster County Legislature.

“Here in Kingston, we have many services to support our most vulnerable, but the lack of health insurance can be detrimental to individuals and families. I want to thank Senator Schumer for his advocacy on behalf of the New Yorkers who are in danger of losing critical health care, and for fighting to regain these lifelines for those who need it most,” said Mayor Steve Noble, City of Kingston.

“Access to affordable health insurance is fundamental to building healthier communities,” said Jonathan Schiller, President and CEO of Garnet Health. “When individuals and families have reliable healthcare coverage, they are better positioned to seek preventive care, manage chronic conditions, and receive timely treatment, and helps to sustain the hospitals and healthcare services our communities depend on.”

Christina Evans, RN, said, "As a nurse, I see firsthand the harm caused by a lack of access to quality, affordable healthcare. Healthcare is a human right that should not be tied to employment. Drastic federal cuts are leaving more New Yorkers uninsured and destabilizing facilities. We must fully fund and extend Medicare and Medicaid and work to achieve a long-term, sustainable solution like the NY Health Act and Medicare for All to guarantee healthcare for everyone."