FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 14, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

CLARKE ISSUES STATEMENT ON WAYS & MEANS RECONCILIATION BILL HEALTH PROVISIONS THAT DIRECTLY HARM NEW YORK STATE 

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released the following statement:

“It is shameful that Republicans are committing an outright assault on affordable health care across this nation. As I’m sitting in a 24-hour hearing, fighting to keep essential healthcare for the nearly 17.3 million Americans who depend on Medicaid benefits in the Energy & Commerce Full Committee Markup, I am devastated to learn that the Ways & Means Committee just passed a bill that includes extremely detrimental health provisions that will increase costs for uncompensated care for our constituent, and cause an enormous financial hit to New York State,” said Rep. Clarke.

“The Republicans’ obsession with destroying the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and underserved communities’ access to essential health care services is sick and despicable across the board. Not only does this bill base eligibility for the ACA on immigration status, but it’s a direct hit on premium tax credits and New York’s Essential Plan—severely impacting the lawfully present individuals waiting for citizenship. This bill strips them of basic healthcare coverage, increases New York’s hospitals’ uncompensated care costs, potentially resulting in a $2.8 billion shortfall to New York State alone.”

“The lengths Republicans are willing to go through and the countless communities they are willing to betray just to save their billionaire donors a few bucks is utterly disturbing. The American people are calling out to Congress for help, and my colleagues across the aisle are determined to ignore them. Disgraceful.

###