Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) met with officials from St. Joseph’s Health to discuss the potential impact of proposed Medicaid cuts on local health care services in Syracuse, New York. The budget reconciliation bill, which passed the House of Representatives in May along party lines, includes a reduction of more than $700 billion in Medicaid funding.
Nearly 250,000 people in NY-22 rely on Medicaid, including over 90,000 children and numerous seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Representative Mannion expressed concern about the effects these cuts would have on health care delivery both locally and nationally. “This would be the largest health care funding cut in our history,” he stated. He emphasized that essential programs at facilities like St. Joseph’s could be severely affected.
St. Joseph’s Health is a not-for-profit Catholic health system serving Central New York and plays a crucial role as a safety net hospital for many vulnerable populations. Meredith Price, Senior Vice President of Acute Operations at St. Joseph’s Health, voiced concerns about their ability to continue providing necessary services if Medicaid funding is reduced.
Trinity Health officials estimate financial losses between $70 to $140 million annually across their systems due to the proposed cuts, potentially leading to service reductions and increased costs for patients.
Dr. Steven Hanks, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health and St. Peter’s Health Partners, highlighted the broader consequences of coverage loss: “We see the ripple effects when people lose coverage—they skip checkups…and eventually show up sicker.” He called for leaders to protect Medicaid and invest in public health rather than dismantling it.
