July 18, 2025 — Despite our legislative advocacy efforts, we didn’t have the votes to defeat President Donald Trump’s massive spending bill, which he dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, and he signed it into law on July 4.
In my last Communicator column, I referenced the cuts and other harmful effects of this legislation on seniors and working people. I reached out to my GOP Congressional representative and my U.S. senators to request they make changes to the bill. There have been numerous protests nationally and locally in response to this betrayal.
Our affiliation with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the NYS Alliance of Retired Americans (NYSARA) helps keep us informed with facts from research they do regarding the current events. I sit on the board of NYSARA and the AFT Retirees Public Policy Committee. At a recent AFT in-person meeting we developed an action plan to be edited and delivered to our members. (You can take a look at that plan here: AFT Retirees PPC 25-26 Action Plan.pdf.)
This plan was intended to guide the AFT Retirees Public Policy Committee in executing their charge of growing retiree engagement across the nation and utilizing the leadership of local retiree activists to help locals and state affiliates meet needs of their members – both in service and retired!
Here is information excerpted from this week’s Monday Alert from NYSARA, which includes one of the many letters I wrote to my Republican Congressman. It also includes some specific information about the Big Ugly Betrayal, which doesn’t line up with what the Congressman is saying!
From the Congressman
Dear Mr. Carr,
Thank you for contacting me to express your support for Medicaid. I appreciate the opportunity to respond.
Medicaid is a critical lifeline for millions of seniors, children, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families who have fallen on hard times—not just in New York, but across the country. I firmly support maintaining Medicaid benefits for those who truly need it. Particularly in our rural and underserved communities throughout Western New York and the Southern Tier, Medicaid plays a vital role in keeping hospitals and nursing homes open, doctors in practice, and patients healthy.
While I strongly support the mission and necessity of Medicaid, we must also acknowledge that the program is not immune to inefficiencies, waste, and fraud. To ensure the long-term viability of the program, it’s our responsibility to ensure that every taxpayer dollar is being used wisely and reaching the people who genuinely need help. That’s why I believe targeted reforms are essential to strengthen Medicaid for the long haul—by modernizing eligibility verification systems, increasing oversight, and rooting out fraud and abuse that cost the program billions annually. The core population Medicaid was designed to serve—pregnant women, children, people with disabilities and low-income seniors—has expanded exponentially, which has also contributed to exploding costs and I also believe that we can institute common sense measures like work-requirements for able-bodied adults under the age of 65 who don’t have dependents. Work requirements on public welfare benefits that were instituted in the 90’s under the Clinton Administration had tremendous success getting people into the workforce and started on the ladder back to self-sufficiency.
In these polarizing times, there has been a lot of dishonest rhetoric and misinformation about House Republicans’ budget and our reconciliation process. Our House Budget Resolution did not cut a single penny from Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security and both the President, the Speaker and I have said numerous times publicly that we will not cut benefits for those who truly need them. As a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over healthcare policy, I am proud to have a seat at the table as these important policy decisions are being discussed. Please know that I remain committed to expanding affordable and accessible quality healthcare for all Americans.
Once again, thank you for contacting me about this important issue. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any additional questions, comments, or concerns. My door is always open, and I am honored to serve Western New York and the Southern Tier in Washington.
(Note: The Congressman has not scheduled or attended any town halls or public meetings about the federal budget.)
Now, the Facts…
In 2025, the cuts to Medicaid could significantly impact healthcare coverage and spending. A key part of the legislation involves reducing the federal matching rate for the Medicaid expansion population, which could lead to millions losing coverage and states facing increased financial burdens.
Key details
- Federal Medicaid Cuts: The House-passed budget reconciliation bill included a reduction of $863 billion in federal Medicaid spending over 10 years and in the Senate bill, well over $1 trillion.
- Impact on Coverage: These cuts could result in millions losing Medicaid coverage, with estimates ranging from 5.5 million to 10.3 million people losing coverage, depending on the specific policy changes.
- State Impact: States could face increased financial pressure to offset the federal cuts, potentially leading to cuts in state-funded programs, tax increases, or reductions in Medicaid benefits and coverage.
- Medicaid Expansion: Medicaid expansion, which provides coverage to low-income adults, was a target for cuts. Reducing the federal matching rate for this population could unravel the expansion in some states.
- Impact on Hospitals: Cuts to Medicaid could lead to increased uncompensated care costs for hospitals, potentially impacting their financial stability.
- Medicare: The Congressional Budget Office estimates that under the budget reconciliation, because of the almost $4 trillion increase in the deficit, the Pay as You Go Act of 2010 would kick in leading to a mandatory $500 billion cut to Medicare.