ROCHESTER, N.Y. – State and county leaders are working to address the impact of significant federal funding cuts following the passage of a major spending and tax bill in Washington last week. The cuts are expected to affect programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
“I think this is going to have a devastating impact for a lot of people in our community,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello.
Rep. Joe Morelle of Rochester made his position on the bill clear.
“I’ll be supporting court challenges to it, calling for oversight in congressional hearings and meetings,” Morelle said. “Making sure the voice of the people in this community is heard and heard loudly.”
But not everyone shares the same perspective.
“I think there will be an impact but I don’t know if it’s to the same level of what we’ve heard since the bill passed on the 4th of July,” said NYS Assembly Member Josh Jensen of Greece.
Bello highlighted concerns about Medicaid.
“If you think about it, taking away Medicaid coverage from an individual doesn’t stop that person from being sick,” Bello said. “Someone still has to pay for that and so that cost is now going to be redistributed.”
Changes to Medicaid require able-bodied childless adults aged 18 to 64 to prove they are working, in school, or doing community service for 80 hours a month. The paperwork and deadlines could be burdensome for some.
New York, with one of the highest Medicaid populations, is expected to feel the impact more than other states. The state budget director noted an unexpected shift of administration fees to states, costing at least $750 million.
“I think we should look at our rainy day fund which has 8.1 billion in reserves,” Jensen said. “Especially for our hospitals, especially in Monroe County, they are huge economic drivers that that would be a good way to leverage some of that money.”
Meanwhile, much of what happens at the county level will largely depend on what the state response is.
“Where can efficiencies be drawn within the system, where can agencies work together to try to fill gaps that exist,” Bello said.
Democrats in the state assembly, who hold the majority, are set to meet to determine the next steps. A special session in Albany may be called in the coming months to address the federal cuts.
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