Nearly a third of residents in the 22nd congressional district are at risk of losing critical health care coverage if steep cuts to Medicaid make it through the House of Representatives. The budget bill is winding through committees and includes sweeping spending cuts in exchange for tax breaks. At a town hall meeting earlier this week, Congressmember John Mannion said he’s very concerned about vulnerable residents.
“A little over 30% of our district individuals are on Medicaid," Mannion said. "It's their primary health coverage plan. And those are individuals that are veterans. They're individuals with disabilities. They're children. But they're also individuals that are working, by and large.”
The mother of a 22-year-old with disabilities told Mannion her son’s housing, medication, day program, and other support services rely in part on Medicaid. Mannion said New York’s more generous program is at risk.
“We want to make sure that we provide benefits and enhanced benefits in Medicaid so that people can live dignified lives," Mannion said. "We shouldn't be penalized for that.”
Hundreds of billions of dollars in Medicaid cuts are on the line in the final House bill. Infighting among Republicans could be enough to force changes.
