Press Release: New York State Legislators Rally with Health Advocates to Pass Coverage for 450,000 New Yorkers

Press Release

New York State Legislators Rally with Health Advocates to Pass Coverage for 450,000 New Yorkers

Albany, NY - Leading state lawmakers and health care advocates held a press conference today to discuss legislation proposed by State Senator Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx) and Assembly Member Amy Paulin (D Westchester) that would prevent the loss of coverage for approximately half a million New Yorkers who are set to lose health insurance under H.R.1 by the end of the year. The first notices went out to 450,000 New Yorkers today informing them that their coverage will end on July 1st.

This is no "April Fools" joke. This is the reality of devastating federal funding cuts under H.R.1. As a result, healthcare costs for nearly a half a million mostly citizen New Yorkers and some lawfully present immigrants will become unaffordable unless Albany lawmakers take steps to fill the coverage gap. Legislation proposed by State Senator Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee, and Assembly Member Paulin, Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, will ensure that half a million New Yorkers will keep their coverage.

Joining the health committee chairs today were, Assembly Member Karines Reyes, Chair of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, other elected officials and healthcare advocates from across the state who have been sounding the alarm about the implications of major coverage losses for New Yorkers unless the coverage gap created by H.R. 1 is addressed in the upcoming state budget.

In short, the legislation (S.9589/Assembly number pending, Paulin) amends the social services law to ensure continuity of coverage for approximately 450,000 citizen and immigrant New Yorkers with incomes up to 250 percent of FPL. It also amends the public health law to establish and administer a state-only funded premium assistance program for lawfully present immigrants who will lose their federal premium assistance come January 1st.

"About 450,000 New Yorkers, largely working-class families, will lose health coverage due to H.R.1. This is not surprising coming from a federal administration that would rather give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy than make our healthcare system more affordable," said Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee and prime sponsor of S.9589. "In New York, we value our immigrant communities because they are our neighbors, they strengthen our economy, and addresses workforce challenges. We know that our healthcare ecosystem depends on every New Yorker having healthcare coverage. This legislation provides affordable coverage options to lawfully present immigrant populations and working families losing their insurance access so we can mitigate the harm on those impacted by federal cuts to our healthcare system."

"New York has a proud tradition of a having a high rate of health insurance coverage. In light of recent federal action, it is time to step up and find a way to ensure that New Yorkers are covered," said Assembly Member Amy Paulin. "As the State Assembly Health Chair, I have introduced legislation to achieve that aim and look forward to working with all my colleagues on this vital issue." 

"As the federal administration continues its unconscionable assault on immigrant populations, legislators throughout New York must take a stand to mitigate the harm devastating these communities," said Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages, Chair of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus. "HR 1 will strip health coverage from 480,000 New Yorkers beginning July 1st including 30,000 residents in my own district. While the return to the Basic Health Program is a critical first step, it is not enough. That is why I am proud to co-sponsor this forthcoming legislation, which will take three concrete steps to strengthen access to health coverage and ensure that our most vulnerable residents are not abandoned in the face of these federal cuts."

"Before taking the oath of office, I put on scrubs and cared for patients as a nurse at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx. I still return to the hospital monthly, to provide routine care for our community.  There are times when some of my patients are just one illness or missed paycheck away from a financial crisis," said Assembly Member Karines Reyes, R.N., Chair of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force. "I've seen firsthand how drastic cuts to public health programs can delay care, worsen outcomes, and even fatally alter the course of a patient's treatment plan. Those most vulnerable to these cutbacks are the immigrant and working-class families, who so often face severe barriers to care due to enduring medical marginalization. This legislation is a critical step to mitigate the damage caused by H.R.1 so that we may protect access to care, strengthen community health systems, and ensure that no one in our state is forced to choose between their health and their livelihood."

"Our communities should never have to worry about losing access to health care because of harmful federal policy changes. But because of H.R. 1, as many as 1.5 million New Yorkers, could lose their health coverage in the coming years unless we act. This bill is a critical step to protect families who rely on reduced-cost and subsidized health insurance and to ensure our neighbors are not pushed out of coverage because of harmful federal policy changes. Our communities deserve stability, dignity, and the peace of mind that they will still be able to see a doctor and care for their families," said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas.

"We cannot allow Donald Trump to strip New Yorkers of their healthcare coverage," said Assembly Member Micah Lasher. "This legislation is about stepping up where Washington has stepped back to keep New Yorkers covered and ensure continuity of care. New York has both the responsibility and the ability to act, and we must do so in this year's budget."

"The imminent loss of health insurance will be a fiscal crisis for 450,000 New Yorkers and their families due to the stratospherically high health care costs in our state," said Elisabeth R. Benjamin, Vice President of Health Initiatives at the Community Service Society of New York, "New York is lucky to have extraordinary leaders such as Senator Rivera and Assemblymember Paulin willing to champion their case in this year's budget negotiations. Health care affordability is top of mind right now for New Yorkers and the time is now - our leaders must act to provide affordable coverage for those about to lose it."

"New York is one of the richest states in the country-there is no excuse for 480,000 people to lose their health coverage," said Ursula Rozum, Co-Director of Campaigns' Organizing at Citizen Action of New York. "We fought for years to expand care for working families, and we will not accept it being ripped away. Going backwards is a choice, and it's the wrong one. State leaders must act now to protect coverage and ensure every New Yorker keeps the care they need. Anything less is a failure of leadership."

"Community Health Centers are already operating on razor-thin margins, caring for one in every eight New Yorkers, whether they have insurance coverage or the ability to pay. Federal actions now threaten to strip coverage from more than a million people, further straining an already stretched system. We strongly support New York's efforts to ensure no one loses coverage as a result of HR1 and to provide affordable options for the nearly half a million New Yorkers who stand to lose Essential Plan coverage on July 1. Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and Senator Rivera's legislation is a critical step to protect patients and support the safety net, while reaffirming our commitment to healthcare as a right, not a privilege" said Rose Duhan, President and CEO at Community Health Care Association of NYS.

"Around a half a million New Yorkers are about to lose their health coverage because politicians in Washington would rather fund the detention of our neighbors and wars around the world than ensure that everyone has the ability to lead a healthy life," said Becca Telzak, Deputy Director at Make the Road New York. "Luckily, our elected officials in Albany can act to protect our access to healthcare. By restoring these funds, we can ensure that nobody has to choose between putting food on the table and visiting a doctor."

"Across New York, United Ways and the 211 networks see every day how fear and instability undermine the wellbeing of children and families," said Therese Daly, President & CEO at United Way of New York State & 211 New York. "When parents and caregivers are at risk of detention or deportation without access to legal support, entire communities feel the impact-from lost income to disrupted education and increased strain on social services. Protecting immigrant families is not only the right thing to do-it is essential to building a stronger, healthier New York for all."

"The New York Coalition for Affordable Hospitals, made up of labor unions, healthcare providers, community organizations, employers, and social justice advocates, is committed to ensuring that every New Yorker as access to affordable healthcare," said Samantha Harpool, Campaign Coordinator at 32BJ Labor Industry Cooperation Fund. "We cannot let 480,000 people lose access to care, especially when healthcare costs are rising with no end in sight. We need to address to the root cause of rising healthcare prices, not cut coverage for those who need it most."

"The time is now to protect the health care of the people at risk of losing insurance coverage," said Lara Kassel, Coalition Coordinator at Medicaid Matters New York. "We know there is enough money to do what we need to do to make sure almost half a million New Yorkers - our neighbors, family members, friends, and constituents in every legislative district across the state - don't become uninsured."

"It is a fundamental responsibility of Gov. Hochul and the New York State Legislature to ensure that every New York resident has access to health insurance coverage that is both affordable and offers quality coverage," said Charles King, Chief Executive Officer at Housing Works.

"New York must do all it can to protect healthcare access for our local small business owners and their employees, particularly those who may lose coverage because of HR 1 or because of their status as immigrants," said Lindsey Vigoda, New York Director at the Small Business Majority. "After all, research conducted by Small Business Majority and Georgetown University found that one-third of all people enrolled in Medicaid have a connection to a small business -- a population now at risk of losing coverage due to federal action. Meanwhile, immigrants are twice as likely to start a small business as native-born citizens, and they own a significant percentage of the businesses typically found on Main Streets such as dry cleaners, clothing stores and restaurants. Given these realities, it's clear that small businesses and their employees will be at risk if New York doesn't step up to address the healthcare needs of our small business community."

"H.R.1 will soon have devastating consequences for New York unless state leaders act quickly. According to the Department of Health, 1.5 million New Yorkers could become uninsured in the coming years, with more than 440,000 people including 404,000 citizens and 40,000 immigrants set to receive termination notices as soon as April 2026. The harm will ripple across every community in our state, said Karina Albistegui Adler, Director of Health Justice at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. "Millions of New Yorkers live in mixed-status households, and our economy depends on immigrant labor. Allowing hundreds of thousands of people to lose medical coverage would be shortsighted and dangerous. New York has long led the nation in expanding health coverage to immigrant communities, and it must continue that leadership now. By investing less than $1 billion annually, the state can protect coverage for our communities and ensure that health care remains a right, not a privilege, for all New Yorkers."

"The entertainment industry is an economic powerhouse in NY - generating upwards of $100B annually for the State. And, yet, workers in the industry often lack reliable access to health insurance," said Jim Bracchitta, Managing Director of Health Services at Entertainment Community Fund. "That's why protecting programs like the Essential Plan are so important to the health and well-being of these hard-working New Yorkers. As thousands of them stand to lose coverage, we need New York's legislative leaders to stand up for their protection. The only way for the arts to contribute to the economic health of NY is to make sure those who make art stay healthy."

"New York has a responsibility-and a proven history-of ensuring people don't lose their health coverage when federal policy falls short," said Lindsay Miller, Executive Director at the New York Association on Independent Living. "We urge state leaders to take swift budget action to safeguard affordable insurance for nearly half a million New Yorkers."

"Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC joins our partners in urging New York State leadership to take immediate action to ensure that no New Yorker - immigrant or citizen - loses the healthcare coverage they depend on due to federal cuts. HR 1 puts coverage at risk for hundreds of thousands of lawfully present immigrants across New York, and the consequences will be felt across our communities, said Ella Nimmo, Director of Community Programs & Development at Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC, Inc. "Every day, CIS-NYC staff sit across from New Yorkers who rely on that coverage to access primary care, afford medications, manage chronic conditions, and simply stay healthy to work and care for their families. As a state that has consistently led the way in ensuring immigrants have access to healthcare, New York must continue to lead in the face of the federal government's failure to care for our communities."

"For the 1.8 million New Yorkers living with a rare disease, Medicaid is a vital source of healthcare coverage," said Bob Graham, Policy Coordinator at the New York State Rare Disease Collaborative. "Properly funding Medicaid is more than a budgetary decision; it is a reflection of our shared New York value of placing the well-being of people first. A robust Medicaid program in an investment that ensures people - no matter how rare their condition - has the coverage and stability they need to live, work, and contribute to our communities."

"CACF proudly supports Assemblymember Amy Paulin's bill designed to mitigate the dangerous impact of H.R.1," said Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung, Co-Executive Directors of the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families. "New York has spent nearly two decades closing the insurance gap and we must ensure that progress - which greatly benefited Asian American and Pacific Islander New Yorkers - is not lost. Our state must continue to lead the way as we push back against federal cuts to healthcare coverage."

"Nearly half a million New Yorkers are at risk of losing their health coverage. As a national leader in expanding access to healthcare, it is imperative that New York continues to lead the way by taking action on behalf of families, workers, and our neighbors who are faced with a dimming reality of unaffordable health coverage. The proposals put forth offer the opportunity to maintain and protect coverage for those at risk. We urge state leaders to act decisively so no one is left behind," said Bethsy Morales-Reid, Vice President for Program Strategy and Impact for Hispanic Federation.

"Primary care is the foundation of a strong and equitable health care system. It is the only part of the health care system proven to increase life expectancy, reduce costs and lower inequities," said Aparna Mekala, CEO of Primary Care Development Corporation. "With over 7 million New Yorkers covered by Medicaid, the program is a vital source of life-saving primary care. If hundreds of thousands of people lose their insurance coverage, diseases like heart disease and diabetes will be left untreated, causing avoidable deaths to increase and lead to unhealthier communities that will further strain our emergency rooms and our economy. With an unprecedented number of uninsured New Yorkers seeking health care, an extra burden will be placed on already understaffed and underfunded Community Health Centers. Our state leaders must ensure that those expected to lose coverage as a result of HR1 are made whole, including those in immigrant communities, so they can maintain access to the primary care that can save their lives."

Washington Republicans have turned their backs on nearly half a million New Yorkers who are counting on their health coverage to survive - we hope Governor Hochul and legislators will not do the same. For our members, who are older and disabled New Yorkers, home care workers and family caregivers, losing Medicaid isn't just a policy setback; it's a threat to their ability to stay in their homes and give and receive care," said Ilana Berger, Director at NY Caring Majority. "New York has the resources and roadmap to fight back, and we're calling on Governor Hochul and the legislature to include these critical fixes in the final state budget. This moment demands courage, and the NY Caring Majority will stand with every New Yorker fighting to keep the coverage they need and deserve."

"New York can continue to lead the way in health care access and seize this opportunity to keep nearly 500,000 New Yorkers from losing their health insurance and protect their long-term physical and financial health," said Fred Riccardi, President at the Medicare Rights Center.

"Since COVID, we have seen how disparities in access to healthcare can have a drastic impact on our immigrant communities," said Emira Habiby Browne, Founder and CEO at the Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans, Inc. "As the federal government continues to slash funding for health insurance, New York has a responsibility to protect the health of all its residents, no matter their country of origin. Maintaining the Essential Plan, establishing ACA premium assistance, and enacting health coverage for DACA recipients will save the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, but only if our state leaders include it in the coming year's budget."

"Many Essential Plan members are people with disabilities who transitioned off Medicaid in order to maintain the coverage or care providers they rely on to work," said Stephanie Orlando, Chief Executive Officer at Western New York Independent Living, Inc. "New York should ensure that these members can keep the health insurance they need to stay employed, and support people with disabilities who depend on consistent care to live independently in their communities."

"Young adults (18-34) and all New Yorkers, regardless of background, need and deserve truly affordable health care coverage," said Professor Sean Henry Miller, Northeast Regional Director at Young Invincibles. "Now, our health care funding, our coverage, and our health itself are under attack. Young Invincibles was founded on ensuring health care access and equity for our marginalized age group by a group of passionate grad. students, over 15 years ago. We now call on our leaders at every level to ensure coverage becomes a right for all; not a privilege for some, despite profit-driven political attacks on our communities."

"The impact of H.R.1 on New Yorkers will be devastating, threatening decades of progress in expanding access to life-saving health care. Cuts to coverage jeopardize the health and wellbeing New Yorkers across the state, including immigrants and children who will lose care as a result of their parents' coverage loss," said Raysa S. Rodriguez, Executive Director, Citizens' Committee for Children of New York. "At the same time, state leaders have a critical opportunity to act. As New York transitions back to the Basic Health Program, New York must advance state-funded coverage options to protect the 480,000 New Yorkers who will lose care if action is not taken now."

"The Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) supports the human right for all people to have access to physical and mental healthcare. In order for the body and mind to work in harmony, people must have access to preventative healthcare," said Sharon McLennon Wier, Ph.D., MSEd., CRC, LMHC, Executive Director of CIDNY.

"NY leaders must act immediately to protect New Yorkers from senseless, deadly federal healthcare cuts. Our physicians and medical students see every day that healthcare is out of reach in our country--for elders and children, working people, New Yorkers who have insurance. It is unfathomable that our leaders would allow more of us to get sick and die from preventable illnesses as insurance companies rake in ever-mounting piles of cash. We urge you to include in the FY 2026-27 budget the stopgap measures outlined in this letter to maintain and expand insurance coverage for low income and immigrant New Yorkers and establish a financial assistance program in the short term. Ultimately, we must pass the New York Health Act to ensure that every New Yorker gets the comprehensive healthcare they need without cost or other insurance barriers, regardless of immigration status, while saving the state billions annually. Inaction by New York's leaders is unacceptable and an equivalent betrayal to initiating the federal healthcare cuts," said Morgan Moore, Executive Director at Physicians for a National Health Program - New York Metro Chapter.

"We have heard Governor Hochul repeatedly tell us that our families are her fight. This a lovely sentiment, but until it is coupled with concrete actions - it is just that," said Andrea Champlin, Advocacy & Support Specialist for the Finger Lakes Independence Center. "Now is the time for New York State to step into the ring and ensure half a million New Yorkers do not lose their health coverage."

"New York has always been a leader in ensuring access to care and must continue to do everything in its power to provide affordable healthcare options for all New Yorkers," said Lisa Rivera, president and CEO of the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG). "We urge Gov. Hochul and members of the State legislature to take immediate action to preserve access to health coverage for the nearly half a million New Yorkers who are set to lose coverage under HR 1 by returning to the Basic Health Program. It's not just the right thing to do; ensuring affordable access to healthcare also strengthens our economy, our communities and our entire state."

"Losing access to health care harms vulnerable populations and places severe strain on community providers. As a provider of health care and housing, we see that coverage loss leads to delayed care, worsening health, and deeper instability, especially for those experiencing homelessness. The loss of primary and preventive care drives complications from untreated conditions, increases reliance on emergency rooms, raises health care costs, and further strains already limited hospital resources, which fuels a broader public health crisis. Federal changes threaten to deepen these inequities, demanding immediate state action to preserve coverage and strengthen community health. New York must act now to prevent these losses, protect vulnerable residents, and reduce homelessness," said Jonathon Santos-Ramos, Executive Director at Care For the Homeless.

"The NYWFP applauds Senator Rivera and Assembly Member Paulin for stepping up to protect healthcare for New Yorkers. Over 400,000 New Yorkers could lose coverage due to Donald Trump and Congressman Lawler's dangerous "Big Beautiful Bill."  S9589 Rivera / Paulin will ensure New Yorkers keep their health insurance including our immigrant neighbors. This is a critical measure to help address the affordability crisis working families are dealing with across the state. The NYWFP strongly encourages state leaders and lawmakers to sign on and champion this bill; all New Yorkers deserve quality healthcare," said NY Working Families Party State Director Jasmine Gripper

The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) has worked with and for New Yorkers since 1843 to promote economic opportunity and champion a more equitable city and state. We power change through a strategic combination of research, services, and advocacy to make New York more livable for people facing economic insecurity. www.cssny.org 

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