Click here to view photos from the event.

Ossining, NY – The signature law of President Trump’s second term – H.R.1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” – includes many changes to programs within our healthcare system. State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Dana Levenberg hosted a healthcare forum and resource fair on Monday, October 27 from 6-8 PM at the Ossining Public Library to help residents prepare for these changes, while also advocating for their reversal. 

“The federal government’s decision to cut Medicaid and the Essential Plan is unconscionable – it will leave 1.5 million New Yorkers without care and devastate our healthcare workforce,” said Harckham. “These cuts are a handout to the wealthy at the expense of working families. In New York, we must stand together to protect our people, our hospitals, and our shared values.”

“These cuts will not only affect those who use Medicaid benefits or receive Affordable Care Act subsidies - this will impact all New Yorkers,” said Levenberg. “Our healthcare system relies on these funds to sustain care. Without them, we’ll see longer wait times, potential hospital closures, and greater costs for everyone. And while we at the state level will do everything we can, under the current circumstances we cannot fill every gap left by the federal government.” 

During her remarks, Levenberg floated a potential state-level solution to the problems caused by H.R.1. “I continue to champion the New York Health Act, which would establish a single-payer system ensuring comprehensive coverage for all and also save the state billions of dollars. At this moment, when we stand to lose so much, passing this legislation would help us establish a better healthcare system, rather than succumbing to something even worse than what we have now.”

Organizations represented at the resource fair included New York State Department of Health, the New York State Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program, the Tri-County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, WMC Health, Open Door Care Network, Sun River Health, Neighbors Link, the Philipstown Behavioral Health Hub, the Hudson Valley Care Coalition, the Healthcare Education Project, Westchester Disabled On The Move, AARP Westchester, and Hudson Valley Demands New York Health. Other featured speakers at the event included Elisabeth Ryden Benjamin, Vice President of Health Initiatives at the Community Service Society of New York, and Sonia Sekhar, Deputy Director at New York State of Health, the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace. 

Benjamin’s presentation focused on the impacts of H.R.1 on New York State and a timeline of impacts. Noting that many of the legislation’s provisions unfold over time, she stressed the importance of advocacy. Benjamin said, “H.R. 1 is a direct attack on healthcare access for millions of Americans and tens of thousands of New Yorkers. When people lose coverage, they lose their health, their security, and often their lives. We’re calling on policymakers to act swiftly to protect coverage and defend the principle that healthcare is for everyone.”

Sekhar said, “New York has built one of the strongest health marketplaces in the nation, but these federal cuts threaten to unravel a decade of progress. Over a million residents risk losing affordable coverage as a result of H.R. 1. We are committed to mitigating the impacts of federal funding cuts and eligibility rule changes. Our priority now is to keep people informed, supported, and connected to care as we fight to protect their health and their futures.”

The event was bilingual, free, and open to all, with content geared toward residents who rely on programs such as Medicaid, the Essential Plan, or who purchase insurance through New York State of Health. Those who were unable to attend can watch a video of the speaking portion on Assemblymember Levenberg’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@OfficeofDanaLevenberg. Presentation slides and other takeaways from the event can be found at https://bit.ly/Oct27HealthcareForum.