Area health care advocates were in Dunkirk on Tuesday with a message for Congressman Nick Langworthy: "Hands off Medicaid." Union representatives, along with local community and faith leaders, held a press conference in Washington Park urging Langworthy to reject any cuts to Medicaid in the House Energy and Commerce Committee's reconciliation bill. Lona DeNisco, a registered nurse from Silver Creek and co-chair of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), says cutting Medicaid would have several negative impacts on our health care system...
Lona DeNisco: will negatively impact our health care system
Sarah Buckley, a registered nurse who represents CWA Local 1168, says the proposal by congressional Republicans would increase health care costs to those who can least afford it...
Sarah Buckley: would increase costs to those who can't afford it
Frank Torain, a pastor at the Open Door Church of God in Christ in Dunkirk, says the city already has issues with health care, noting Brooks Memorial Hospital's relocation to Fredonia in the coming years...
Frank Torain: we already have issues locally
Advocates have also noted that Medicaid pays for 24% of inpatient hospital stays at facilities like Brooks Hospital. In a statement issued on Monday, Langworthy said the House Energy and Committee bill would protect Medicaid "for those who genuinely need it."
