QUEENS, NY – U.S. Reps. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) and Grace Meng (NY-06) held a Medicaid Day of Action press conference on Tuesday on the Republican plan to cut Medicaid, which would impact hundreds of thousands of Queens Residents.
The Representatives’ press conference took place at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens in Jamaica. It highlighted the Republicans’ plan to enact the single largest cut to Medicaid in our nation’s history. This proposed cut would devastate millions of people across the country—families could lose their health care, hospitals and nursing homes may be forced to close, and access to quality care would decline. The Members also toured the hospital’s emergency department and cancer center. Meeks and Meng were joined by Hospital CEO Neil Moore and Council Members Lynn Schulman, Sandra Ung, and Selvena Brooks-Powers.
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“The Republicans’ scheme to cut Medicaid would have a catastrophic impact on hundreds of thousands of people in New York’s 5th District,” Rep. Meeks said. “This is unacceptable. Children, seniors, and people with disabilities depend on the vital health services that Medicaid supports. This is Trump’s Project 2025 in action: cutting health care for the hardworking people in Queens in order to reward his billionaire buddies with tax breaks. Rep. Grace Meng and I are going to fight each and every day to stop this reckless, cruel attack on Medicaid.”
“The slashing of Medicaid would wreak havoc on Queens,” Rep. Meng said. “So many local residents would be devastated, especially the most vulnerable in our borough. We cannot allow these draconian cuts to be made on the backs of hard-working families in Queens. I support cutting government waste but putting Medicaid funding on the chopping block is not what that is. Congressman Meeks and I will continue our fight against the assault on Medicaid, and we’ll do everything we can to stop these cuts from taking place.”
“Medicaid ensures lifesaving care for those who cannot afford commercial insurance. At NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, this program provides critical services such as cancer screenings, prenatal care, and chronic disease management that safeguard health and provide stability for our community,” said Neil Moore, MBA, MPA, FACHE, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. “One of New York City’s largest safety-net hospitals. “Our dedicated healthcare teams deliver this care with compassion and expertise, ensuring no one faces financial hardship when seeking treatment. We thank Congressmembers Meeks and Meng for their partnership in prioritizing equitable health care. Together, we uphold our promise: Care for NYC. No Exceptions.”
“The Republican plan to gut Medicaid is a direct attack on the health and well-being of Queens residents and millions of Americans,” said Lynn Schulman, NYC Council Member, Chair of the NYC Council Health Committee. “Slashing Medicaid would force hospitals to close, cut off access to life-saving care, and put our most vulnerable—seniors, children, and people with disabilities—at risk. This is not just a budget issue; it’s a matter of life and death. I stand with Reps. Meeks and Meng in fighting back against these cruel and reckless cuts. We must protect Medicaid and ensure that every New Yorker has access to the health care they deserve.”
“While Republicans claim these cruel cuts won’t hurt those who rely on Medicaid, we know that’s simply not true,” said Sandra Ung, NYC Council Member. “Federal cuts will not only reduce critical services, but also force states to make impossible choices like cutting eligibility, reducing benefits, and slashing payments to hospitals and providers. We cannot let this happen. We must stand together and fight back against efforts to rip away health care from the American people, and send a message that we will not allow Republicans to balance their budget on the backs of our most vulnerable neighbors.”
“The proposed Medicaid cuts would be devastating for working families, seniors, and vulnerable communities across New York City—especially here in Southeast Queens, where we already face serious healthcare gaps,” said Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, New York City Council Majority Whip. “Slashing Medicaid funding would deepen health disparities in our community, leaving too many without the care they rely on. I stand with Representatives Meeks and Meng in rejecting these cruel cuts and demanding a budget that prioritizes people over politics.”
“The Trump administration continues its malicious attacks on working class New Yorkers, threatening critical Medicaid cuts,” said Jessica González-Rojas, NYS Assembly Member. “While some leaders may falter in the face of these actions, my colleagues and I are steadfast in our fight to protect the health and well-being of New Yorkers. As Medicaid faces cuts, we must take every step to safeguard our state’s healthcare system. This means proactively investing in workforce development, recruitment, and retention. We must defend Medicaid, an essential resource for millions of New Yorkers, and push for long-term solutions like the NY Health Act. Our priority must be the health of New Yorkers, and we must pass a budget that ensures widespread access to healthcare. Healthcare is a fundamental human right, and we will continue to fight to protect it.”
“The proposed Medicaid cuts are nothing short of an attack on the health and well-being of Queens residents and working families across our state,” said Leroy Comrie, NYS Senator. “Thousands of seniors, children, and people with disabilities rely on Medicaid for essential care, and these reckless cuts would jeopardize their health and stability. New Yorkers deserve better than policies that strip away vital services while benefiting the wealthy. I stand with our Queens Members of
Congress, Greg Meeks and Grace Meng in opposing these cruel cuts, and I will continue fighting on the state level, to protect the healthcare access our communities depend on.”
