Rockland County Legislators Urge Congress Not To Cut Medicaid Services

Legislator Stilley: ‘Our Most Vulnerable Residents Require The Vital Services Provided By Medicaid’ 

Rockland County Legislators voted unanimously to urge the United States Congress to develop a final budget that maintains Medicaid services for Rockland County residents without cuts.

Some of Rockland’s most at-risk residents rely on Medicaid, including children and adults with developmental disabilities, elderly seniors living in nursing homes, low-wage working adults and their children, and others.

Rockland County Legislator Dana G. Stilley introduced the County resolution and was joined by her legislative colleagues in sponsoring the action.

“Our most vulnerable neighbors require the vital services provided by Medicaid,” Legislator Stilley said. “Nearly 150,000 Rockland County residents receive Medicaid. These are our family members, relatives, friends and neighbors who are in jeopardy of losing crucial services if federal funding is slashed.” 

On Feb. 25, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget that calls for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and a $2 trillion reduction in federal spending over the next decade. The budget bill calls for the Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid and Medicare, to cut $800 billion – nearly half of the $2 trillion cut.

The federal government’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 until Sept. 30, with or without a budget in place. Generally speaking, 12 subcommittees focused on appropriations bills begin their work in June, and the bills approved may determine cuts and increases throughout the federal budget. Appropriations involve formally setting aside funds for specific uses.

As of September 2024, approximately 149,000 individuals – about 44 percent of Rockland County’s population – are receiving Medicaid benefits, according to the United Hospital Fund, based on data from the NYS Department of Health and the U.S. Census.

Medicaid recipients include people with low income and disabilities, as well as seniors. Unlike Medicare, which covers health care for seniors aged 65 and older, Medicaid covers long-term care for the elderly. If seniors exhaust their funds, they can qualify for Medicaid to help cover nursing home expenses.

Medicaid provides funding for essential services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those offered by nonprofit organizations such as ARC of Rockland, Hamaspik of Rockland County, Jawonio, Inc., and Venture Together.

These nonprofits manage residential facilities, day programs, and clinics, all dedicated to assisting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“The time for action is now,” Legislator Stilley said. “Those who can stand up and speak out should do so, because many cannot stand up for themselves. We want Congress to know that funding to the programs and services Medicaid recipients require cannot simply be slashed without regard to the lives that will be impacted.”