Fact Check: a congressional bill will lead to about $900 billion to $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts, which will force hospitals like Nyack Hospital and Westchester Hospital to cut services, staff, and care.

Fact-Check: "A congressional bill will lead to about $900 billion to $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts, which will force hospitals like Nyack Hospital and Westchester Hospital to cut services, staff, and care."

What We Know

The claim that a congressional bill will lead to substantial cuts in Medicaid funding is supported by multiple sources. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the Senate Republican reconciliation bill proposes to cut gross federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) spending by approximately $1.02 trillion over the next ten years (CBO estimates). This figure is notably higher than the House-passed version of the bill, which proposed cuts of around $863.4 billion (CBO estimates).

Furthermore, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has indicated that these cuts will strip health care coverage from over 1.5 million New Yorkers, leading to significant impacts on hospitals and health care services statewide (Governor Hochul's announcement). The health care lobby, which includes hospitals and insurers, has expressed concerns that such cuts will result in hospital closures and reduced services, particularly affecting rural and low-income communities (NPR report).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim of substantial Medicaid cuts is robust. The CBO's estimates are considered credible as they are based on comprehensive analysis and are a primary source of fiscal data for Congress. The projected cuts of $1.02 trillion are significant and indicate a severe reduction in funding that could impact hospitals' operational capabilities, including staffing and service provision.

The implications of these cuts are further corroborated by reports indicating that hospitals, including those in New York, may face dire consequences. For instance, the Forbes article highlights that the Senate bill's Medicaid cuts exceed $1 trillion, which raises alarms about the viability of many health care providers (Forbes article).

Moreover, the American Progress report emphasizes that such sweeping cuts will likely lead to millions losing health insurance and will particularly jeopardize rural hospitals (American Progress article). This aligns with the concerns raised by health care lobbyists who warned that the cuts would lead to reduced coverage and potential hospital closures (NPR report).

While some sources may exhibit a degree of bias—such as those from health care advocacy groups that may emphasize the negative impacts to garner support against the legislation—the overarching consensus across multiple credible sources supports the claim that the cuts will be severe and impactful.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that a congressional bill will lead to approximately $900 billion to $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts, which will force hospitals like Nyack Hospital and Westchester Hospital to cut services, staff, and care, is substantiated by credible estimates from the CBO and corroborated by reports from health care officials and advocacy groups. The evidence indicates that these cuts will have significant ramifications for health care coverage and hospital operations.

Sources

1. Congressional Budget Office Confirms Senate Republican ...
2. Governor Hochul Unveils Devastating Impacts of Republicans ...
3. Why the health care lobby failed to stop cuts to Medicaid ...
4. MSNBC host loses it at Trump Republican over Medicaid cuts
5. Senate Medicaid Cuts In Trump Megabill Exceed $1 Trillion
6. The Truth About the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's Cuts to ...
7. H.R 1 “Big Bill” Even Worse Than Expected
8. Senate proposal deepens Medicaid cuts and eliminates ...