Gies, 1199SEIU Sound Alarm on Health Care Cuts in Dunkirk Press Conference

The endorsed Democratic candidate for New York's 23rd Congressional District is voicing concern about cuts in federal funding and how they are impacting hospitals and nursing homes in the district. Aaron Gies, who held a press conference outside the Dunkirk Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on Monday, says New York has been the second-hardest hit state in the nation from Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill." Gies says he will vote to reverse those cuts if elected...

Aaron Gies: will reverse those cuts

Gies was joined by representatives from 1199SEIU, the nation's largest health care union. Among them was Rebecca Ramirez, who says the cuts are negatively affecting how workers at the Dunkirk facility are able to care for their residents...

Rebecca Ramirez: how it's been impacting residents and workers

Fellow nurse Lindsey Mead echoed those concerns. 1199SEIU Administrative Organizer Cheryl Marino added that approximately 190,000 people in the district depend on Medicare and Medicaid, and rural hospitals depend on that funding to survive. She also announced that 1199SEIU voted to endorse Gies for Congress, saying, "It's time to vote for those who understand the critical crisis that the health care industry is facing right now."

Gies also stated, "Nick Langworthy has made his position crystal clear. He is for disinvestment. He is for private profit at the expense of the common good. He is for the urban elites at the expense of our rural working-class district. He funds his campaign with big checks from the very insurance companies bankrupting you and nursing home owners who want to overwork and underpay their employees."

Photo by Aaron Gies for Congress campaign