Health care workers rally for increase in Medicaid reimbursement rate
Organizers said the proposed budget includes $1 billion in cuts to health care spending and no rate increases for Medicaid reimbursement.
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Dozens of health care workers rallied outside Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Bushwick Thursday afternoon to call on the governor to increase health care funding and raise the Medicaid reimbursement rate.
It was one of many happening across the state in response to Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2025 proposed state budget.
The 1199 SEUI organized the day of action.
Organizers said the proposed budget includes $1 billion in cuts to health care spending and no rate increases for Medicaid reimbursement.
Last year, the budget did include up to 7.5% increase to Medicaid reimbursement rates.
"The under reimbursement for people who have Medicaid insurance it's been unfair, it's been unfair for 20 years," said Ramon Rodriguez, president of Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, who rallied with hospital workers. "There has become a two-class system of health care we have to do something about."
The rally comes as SUNY Downstate Medical Center in East Flatbush announced last month it will likely close due to ongoing financial struggles.
A trend for hospitals that see a majority of patients insured through Medicaid.
"When you look at the communities, low income communities, communities of color which particularly rely on Medicaid, their access to health care is in jeopardy due to the funding shortfalls that exist in this program," said Bryn Lloyd-Bollard, 1199 SEIU.
New York has the second largest Medicaid program in the country with 7.6 million people enrolled.
New York saw an 11% increase in Medicaid spending since last year.
