Kennedy Joins Primary Care and Emergency Care Providers to Demand GOP Cancel the Cuts and Reopen the Government

Standing With Doctors, Nurses, Patients, Elected Officials, Kennedy Underscores the Dire Need to Cancel the Cuts from Trump's Big Ugly Bill

Reconciliation Bill Slashed Medicaid, Failed to Renew ACA Tax Credits, Setting Families Up For Dramatic and Unaffordable Premium Increases and Loss of Healthcare

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Joined today at Neighborhood Health Center's Mattina facility by primary care and emergency care providers, as well as patients and colleagues in government, Congressman Tim Kennedy demanded that Congressional Republicans and President Trump end their government shutdown, cancel the Medicaid cuts, and permanently extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits that keep exchange-purchased health plans affordable for families.

As the Republican shutdown enters its sixth day, the need for Republicans to return to the negotiation table is more dire than ever. Without swift action from Congress to renew the ACA tax credits, families in Kennedy's district face average premium increases of $1,670, while more than 1 million New Yorkers will lose health coverage entirely, and 11 rural hospitals risk closure. While Congressional Republicans were eager to provide tax cuts to billionaires permanently, they have failed to take care of working-class Americans by extending the tax cuts, threatening to remove access to healthcare for tens of millions.

"I spent more than a decade practicing as an occupational therapist, and I've seen firsthand what happens when there is a lapse in care, or worse, when there is a cancellation of care," said Congressman Kennedy. "Congressional Republicans and President Trump made sure to take care of their billionaire friends by permanently extending their tax cuts, while at the same time leaving tens of millions of hardworking Americans out in the cold. Make no mistake, if they don't cancel the cuts and extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, we will make America sicker and people will die. I won't stop fighting to reopen the government and cancel these deadly cuts."

"You may think this doesn't affect you, but there are ripple effects," said Joanne Haefner, President & CEO of Neighborhood Health Center of WNY. "For example, when a health center cuts services, hours, staff, or closes entirely, that limits access to care for everyone who relies on that health center - whether you have private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or are uninsured."

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, "This current government shutdown didn't happen by accident. It's a choice made by Republican leadership in Congress, and they have to own it. By refusing to govern responsibly, they've thrown our healthcare system into uncertainty, threatened Medicaid funding that millions depend on, and jeopardized Affordable Care Act tax credits that help working families afford coverage. Here in Western New York, our hospitals, providers, and patients are paying the price for the dysfunction of Republicans in Washington. It's past time for Republican leaders to reopen the government and stop playing games with people's health and livelihoods."

"It's outrageous that Congressional Republicans, fresh off voting to rip Medicaid from some 12 million Americans, now want to let the enhanced ACA tax credits expire and kick millions more off their health insurance - and are even willing to shut down the federal government to do so," said Buffalo Common Council Majority Leader and Ellicott District Council Member Leah Halton-Pope. "We know what happens when people lose access to healthcare. They go into medical debt, they fail to receive essential preventative care, and some even lose their lives. I stand with Representative Kennedy and local healthcare providers with a clear message for the White House and Congress: stop putting the profits of billionaires ahead of the health and lives of the American people."

"The expanded Affordable Care Act tax credits are a critical lifeline for thousands of Western New Yorkers and millions of Americans, and yet MAGA Republicans want to strip these protections in order to fund more handouts for the billionaire class," said Masten District Councilwoman Zeneta Everhart. "Let's be clear: the government shutdown could end this morning if the White House and Congressional leaders committed to protecting health coverage. I'm proud to stand with Representative Kennedy and healthcare leaders to tell them, 'Hands off Medicaid, hands off the ACA, hands off our healthcare.'

"We cannot afford to wait," said Legislator Lawrence Dupre. "I stand with Congressman Kennedy and urgently demand the cancellation of Medicaid Cuts and the extension of ACA tax credits to restore the critical benefits our citizens deserve and need. The federal government must reopen and get to work on these issues."

This failure by Republicans will blow a $1,670 hole in the annual budgets of the 10,000 people in Kennedy's district who rely on ACA coverage, representing a 35% premium increase. The burden is even steeper for some. For example, a 60-year-old couple with a household income of $85,000 will face an extra $4,116 in annual health insurance costs-a 57% spike. Congressional Democrats have introduced legislation that will cancel the cuts, extend the ACA tax credits, and reopen the federal government. With Republicans in control of the House of Representatives, Senate, and White House, the onus is on them to come back to the table and negotiate in good faith.

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