Trump Bill Cuts Threaten 1.5 Million New Yorkers’ Health Coverage, Bronx Jobs

New York State is facing a severe healthcare crisis following the passage of the "Big Beautiful Bill" signed into law by President Trump, which includes approximately $1 trillion in federal spending cuts to Medicaid and related health programs. Governor Kathy Hochul's administration projects that these cuts could cause up to 1.5 million New Yorkers to lose health insurance coverage, with the Bronx—where about two-thirds of residents rely on Medicaid—expected to be the hardest hit, potentially losing over 100,000 Medicaid and Essential Plan enrollees and nearly 3,000 hospital jobs. The state must backfill billions in Medicaid-related costs, with estimates of $750 million for the current fiscal year and at least $3 billion for the next, but officials warn that no state, including New York, can sustainably absorb these losses through tax increases. Additional challenges include the implementation of new Medicaid work requirements, which might push 1.2 million New Yorkers off coverage, and the exclusion of certain immigrant groups from Affordable Care Act tax credits and the Essential Plan starting in 2027, resulting in billions of dollars in lost federal support. Healthcare providers foresee destabilization of the provider network, increased strain on emergency rooms, and widespread job losses in the healthcare sector, totaling tens of thousands statewide. Despite New York's historically high public and private health funding that may mitigate some effects, state officials emphasize the need for difficult budget discussions and acknowledge the bill's profound impact on coverage, services, and economic stability across the state.