Governor Kathy Hochul and U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres have voiced concerns about the potential impact of the “Big Ugly Bill,” legislation backed by President Trump and Congressional Republicans, on New York State’s healthcare and nutrition programs. According to state officials, the proposed federal cuts could result in nearly $13 billion in losses for New York’s healthcare system and leave approximately 1.5 million residents without health insurance coverage. Over 300,000 households may also lose some or all of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“Republicans in Washington are resolute in their determination to inflict irreparable harm to the very programs that save the lives of millions of New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “They have one goal in mind: to conceal tax breaks for their wealthy billionaires while simultaneously withdrawing health care and food benefits from families that rely on them. The fight to protect New Yorkers and uphold the very values of our nation is unfolding right now, and I am committed to being at the forefront of this fight every single day.”
Representative Ritchie Torres added, “Donald Trump’s so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is a big ugly nightmare for the Bronx. By gutting Medicaid and SNAP, Republicans have put hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers at risk just to fund tax breaks for billionaires. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for standing with us in this fight to protect the families who stand to lose the most.”
In New York’s 15th congressional district alone, over 500,000 people are enrolled in Medicaid, with nearly 100,000 expected to lose coverage if changes under the bill are implemented. Additionally, more than 12,800 enrollees in the Essential Plan could lose their insurance. Statewide projections estimate that more than two million people could lose current insurance coverage due to cuts affecting both Medicaid and the Essential Plan.
The Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) and Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) estimate annual cuts totaling $8 billion for hospitals and health systems across New York. This reduction could force hospitals statewide—urban and rural alike—to reduce services or close altogether.
The legislation would also alter funding mechanisms for SNAP benefits. For the first time since its inception, states would be required to contribute financially or risk ending their SNAP programs entirely—a change affecting almost three million residents who rely on these benefits statewide. The state estimates it will face up to $1.4 billion annually in new costs due to these requirements.
New eligibility rules are projected to result in more than 300,000 households losing some or all SNAP benefits across New York State, with an average monthly loss per household estimated at $220. These measures are expected to disproportionately affect low-income families as well as legally present noncitizens; roughly 41,000 noncitizens may become newly ineligible under stricter criteria.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald commented on these developments: “These cuts will have a devastating impact on all New Yorkers, leaving an estimated 1.5 million people in New York uninsured, stripping social and health care safety net services, driving up food insecurity and leaving hospitals to shoulder the burden of increasing health care costs. These cuts to health care coverage are unprecedented and cruel. The State Department of Health will continue to work with Governor Kathy Hochul, our dedicated hospital systems and state agency partners to take every measure possible to mitigate the impact of this bill.”
Other elected officials from both state legislative chambers joined calls against what they described as harmful effects from federal action targeting Medicaid and SNAP funding.
