Residents in the Hudson Valley are worried about potential federal cuts to health care programs. With the Trump administration aiming to reduce government spending, this concern is growing.
Programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) provide essential support to many Americans. A non-partisan budget group warns that the planned cuts could total $1.5 billion over the next decade, impacting healthcare services that tens of millions rely on.
House Speaker Mike Johnson believes these cuts can happen without hurting healthcare. However, many people disagree. Linda Bartee, a retiree from Poughkeepsie, shared her worries: “We’ve worked for 40 years and paid into the system. Now we need it, and it feels like it’s being taken away.” Her feelings echo the sentiments of many who depend on these services.
Grassroots organizations like Community Voices Heard Power are stepping up to challenge these proposed cuts. They argue that children and the elderly will be most affected. Juanita Lewis, from the group, highlighted the impact: “In Westchester, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, and surrounding areas, nearly a million people could be affected by cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.”
Nationally, Medicaid serves about 70 million low-income Americans, meaning one in five people rely on it. Medicare supports over 66 million seniors. On a local level, nearly 245,000 people in the Hudson Valley depend on Medicaid, while 74,000 rely on SNAP.
Recently, the American Medical Association and other doctors’ groups condemned a decision by Congress to cut Medicare payments to doctors. This could lead to fewer people getting health insurance, making care harder to access, and increasing costs for consumers.
Despite the challenges, opponents of the cuts remain hopeful. Lewis emphasized the importance of ongoing education and community engagement. “We’ll keep the pressure on those who can make these decisions,” she said, hinting at a commitment to advocacy and future actions.
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