Latest news with #2025NYCPrideMarch
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Millions of New Yorkers Warned Over Health Insurance
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of New Yorkers are at risk of losing their health insurance coverage, Governor Kathy Hochul warned this week as the fallout from President Donald Trump's recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act begins to take shape. Hochul said the legislation would slash $3 billion from New York's health care system, triggering major cuts that could leave more than 2 million residents without their current coverage. Of those, an estimated 1.3 million could lose access to Medicaid because of new eligibility requirements and verification hurdles included in the law. Why It Matters Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law on July 4, with cuts to Medicaid among the legislation's controversial provisions. New York runs one of the largest Medicaid programs in the country, leaving the state particularly vulnerable to the bill. New York Governor Kathy Hochul taking part in the 2025 NYC Pride March along Fifth Avenue, New York, on June 29. New York Governor Kathy Hochul taking part in the 2025 NYC Pride March along Fifth Avenue, New York, on June 29. Anthony Behar/Sipa USA/AP What To Know On Thursday, Hochul convened a Cabinet meeting to outline the sweeping consequences of the newly signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, warning it would leave millions of New Yorkers vulnerable to losing health coverage and food assistance while straining the state's finances for years to come. According to new estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the bill will cut about $1.1 trillion in health care spending and result in 11.8 million people losing Medicaid health insurance over the next decade. One of the most consequential elements of the federal law restricts which immigrant populations qualify for Medicaid coverage under the Essential Plan. Only green card holders and immigrants from a limited list of countries—including Cuba, Haiti and some Pacific Island nations—will remain eligible. In New York, the governor warned, the changes could be especially devastating. The change is expected to strip coverage from about 500,000 immigrants in New York, leaving the state with an estimated $3 billion annual bill if it opts to maintain their insurance. Hochul said the administration was evaluating a potential legislative response in light of a 2001 state court ruling that requires the state to provide Medicaid coverage to some immigrants excluded from federal programs. "We're having discussions now internally, but also will be engaging the leaders of the Legislature during this time," she said. Hochul also warned that the federal health care cuts would hit rural hospitals especially hard. "Most of our state is rural," she said. "If we start closing these hospitals, you'll have to drive great distances—and that's dangerous." Although the governor said her team anticipated some federal cuts—prompting a $400 billion reduction in projected state spending and the downsizing of a planned inflation rebate from $300 million to $200 million—the scope of the new law exceeds what the state had prepared for. Like Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is also set to undergo funding changes. Under the new law, the federal government plans to continue funding SNAP, but states now have to share some of the cost if their payment error rate is 6 percent or higher, beginning in 2028—two years after the next midterm elections. Beginning in October 2027, New York would be required to fund 15 percent of all SNAP benefits—a projected $1.2 billion annual cost. At the same time, the federal government's share would drop from 50 percent to 25 percent. The state would have to pay an additional $36 million annually, while counties and New York City would shoulder an extra $168 million. According to New York officials, up to 3 million residents may see their food benefits jeopardized as a result of the changes. Hochul has also said the bill will cost New York $750 million this year and $3 billion next year alone. What People Are Saying New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a news release on Thursday: "While Republicans in Washington callously slash funding for vital programs across the country, my administration is standing up for New Yorkers to soften the blow of these cuts amidst an affordability crisis. "President Trump's devastating 'Big Ugly Bill' will inflict harm across the state, leaving detrimental gaps in funding and families without the crucial benefits and coverage that they need. New York State remains laser-focused on ensuring New Yorkers have access to resources and support necessary to uplift them and their families." What Happens Next Medicaid's funding changes under the new law are not scheduled to take effect until 2028.
Sinar Daily
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Mamdani confirmed as Democratic candidate for New York mayor
The 33-year-old self-declared democratic socialist defeated his nearest rival by a strong margin, winning 56 per cent to former New York governor Andrew Cuomo's 44 percent in the third round of vote counting. 02 Jul 2025 09:46am Zohran Mamdani, New York City candidate for Mayor, and Letitia James, Attorney General for New York take part in the 2025 NYC Pride March on June 29, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Gray / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) NEW YORK - Rising star of the American left Zohran Mamdani is now officially the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, according to official primary election results released Tuesday. The 33-year-old self-declared democratic socialist defeated his nearest rival by a strong margin, winning 56 per cent to former New York governor Andrew Cuomo's 44 per cent in the third round of vote counting. A supporter of New York City Mayor Eric Adams sits outside City Hall as Adams speaks about his re-election campaign in New York City on June 26, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) With neither candidate winning a majority in the June 25 primary, election officials eliminated lower-ranking candidates and recounted under the ranked-choice voting process. But after Mamdani earned 43 per cent outright, Cuomo -- aiming for a comeback after a sex scandal -- did not wait for the full results and conceded defeat the night of the vote, a stunning outcome for Democrats. Staunchly pro-Israel Cuomo led in polls for most of the race, with massive name recognition and support from powerful centrist figures including former president Bill Clinton. "Democrats spoke in a clear voice, delivering a mandate for an affordable city, a politics of the future, and a leader unafraid to fight back against rising authoritarianism," Mamdani said Tuesday. Born in Uganda to South Asian parents, New York state assemblyman Mamdani would be the first Muslim mayor of the heavily Democratic city if he wins the general election in November. Polling currently shows him ahead of current Mayor Eric Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa for the November vote. Adams was elected in 2021 as a Democrat but is running as an independent. Mamdani and others have accused the mayor of allowing the Trump administration to conduct immigration raids in exchange for burying federal corruption charges against Adams. Cuomo is still weighing a possible run as an independent. 'We shattered everyone's expectations' The contest has catapulted Mamdani from an unknown to the national stage, with Democrats debating if he is too far-left -- his proposals include freezing rent for many New Yorkers, higher taxes on millionaires and corporations, free bus service, and universal childcare -- or just what is needed to beat back President Donald Trump's MAGA agenda. Asked by NBC Sunday if he is a communist, Mamdani responded in the negative. He also said "I don't think that we should have billionaires," but added he wants "to work with everyone." Trump has led the Republican criticism of the man who has upended Democratic politics. "Frankly, I've heard he's a total nut job," Trump said Tuesday. Mamdani -- a hyper-adept social media user whose campaign clips showcased his accessibility and drew millions of views -- posted a video Tuesday explaining how he "shocked the establishment and redrew the political map with a campaign relentlessly focused on the needs of working people." He noted Trump drew surprisingly strong support in New York City in the 2024 election, and explained how campaigning relentlessly in neighborhoods with minority, working class and immigrant populations, he was able to bring disaffected voters back to the Democratic fold. "We can win back voters many have written off if we give them something to vote for, not just tell them what to be against," Mamdani said. "We shattered everyone's expectations -- including our own." - AFP More Like This
