Legislator Schumer introduces legislation in Upstate New York aimed at reversing Medicaid reductions instituted by Trump
In a move aimed at safeguarding healthcare access and supporting hospitals in Central New York, US Senator Charles Schumer has unveiled a bill titled the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act. This proposed legislation seeks to reverse the historic Medicaid cuts enacted under President Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act and permanently extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits.
The bill, announced on Tuesday in Auburn, New York, at Auburn Community Hospital, is focused on small, rural hospitals in Central New York, which are expected to be hit hardest by the largest cuts in Medicaid’s history. Schumer describes these cuts as "one of the most devastating bills for Central New York healthcare," threatening the closure of hospitals and layoffs in the region.
The bill's intention is to mitigate the impact of Medicaid cuts on hospitals in Central New York, such as Auburn Medical Center, which relies on Medicaid funding of more than $40 million annually and is expected to face severe financial shortfalls due to the cuts.
Schumer emphasizes that these Medicaid cuts are a consequence of the Trump administration redirecting Medicaid funds to tax breaks for the wealthy, effectively "feeding Medicaid to the sharks." The bill aims to reverse these cuts before they cause widespread healthcare disruptions, including hospital closures and loss of coverage for millions in New York.
In addition to reversing Medicaid cuts, the bill seeks to extend ACA premium tax credits permanently, preventing an increase in healthcare premiums and reducing financial strain on families. This move is expected to lower healthcare costs for families in Central New York and beyond.
Meanwhile, President Trump has made headlines with his reappointment of the top prosecutor for Upstate New York, whose tenure is now indefinite or until Trump makes him a judge. The top U.S. prosecutor for Upstate New York has not been subject to normal scrutiny due to Trump’s actions, shielding him from dismissal by judges.
However, the reappointment of the top prosecutor for Upstate New York is not the focus of this bill. Instead, it is the healthcare of thousands of people in Central New York that is at the forefront, with Schumer working to marshal Senate Democratic support to ensure the protection of hospitals and the reduction of healthcare costs for families.
[1] CNN [3] Syracuse.com [5] Politico
- The Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act, introduced by Senator Charles Schumer, aims to reverse historic Medicaid cuts and permanently extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits, as reported by CNN.
- In light of the threats posed by Medicaid cuts to hospitals like Auburn Medical Center in Central New York, which heavily relies on Medicaid funding, Schumer's bill is focused on mitigating the impact on small, rural hospitals, as per Syracuse.com.
- The bill, which also seeks to lower healthcare costs for families, is a part of the policy-and-legislation sphere covered by Politico, as Schumer works to gather Senate Democratic support to protect hospitals from closure due to Medicaid cuts.
