ALBANY, N.Y. March 22, 2017 — New York State United Teachers today slammed U.S. Rep. Chris Collins’ proposed amendment to the Republican health care bill, saying it would blow a $2.3 billion hole in the state budget and force devastating cuts to public schools, colleges and hospitals.
NYSUT said Collins’ amendment would shift a portion of Medicaid costs now borne by counties to the state budget, blasting a $2.3 billion hole on top of the $2.4 billion proposed cut to Medicaid payments to New York State already contained in the GOP’s Trumpcare bill. It is estimated that the Trump-Ryan bill would eventually cost 2.3 million New Yorkers their health care coverage, and drive many hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities out of business.
NYSUT said: “Chris Collins is selling out his home state — and the students who attend public schools and colleges in his congressional district — to score cheap political points in Washington. Anyone who is aligned with Collins and this disastrous Trump-Ryan plan, and votes for this destructive amendment, is a turncoat to their home state and is clearly willing to throw public education — and the health care needs of their constituents — under the bus. Let us be crystal clear: This vote will dog them for the rest of their time in office.”
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.