Governor Kathy Hochul and U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres held a joint event to warn about the expected effects of the “Big Ugly Bill,” legislation advanced by President Trump and Congressional Republicans, on New York State’s healthcare and nutrition programs. The officials said that the proposed federal cuts would remove nearly $13 billion from New York’s healthcare system annually and could result in approximately 1.5 million state residents losing health insurance coverage. Additionally, more than 300,000 households across the state are projected to lose some or all of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“Republicans in Washington are resolute in their determination to inflict irreparable harm to the very programs that save the lives of millions of New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “They have one goal in mind: to conceal tax breaks for their wealthy billionaires while simultaneously withdrawing health care and food benefits from families that rely on them. The fight to protect New Yorkers and uphold the very values of our nation is unfolding right now, and I am committed to being at the forefront of this fight every single day.”
Representative Ritchie Torres added, “Donald Trump’s so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is a big ugly nightmare for the Bronx. By gutting Medicaid and SNAP, Republicans have put hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers at risk just to fund tax breaks for billionaires. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for standing with us in this fight to protect the families who stand to lose the most.”
According to data presented at the event, there are currently over 272,000 individuals receiving SNAP benefits in Representative Torres’s district (NY-15), as well as more than 512,000 Medicaid enrollees—over 94,000 of whom could lose coverage if changes outlined in the bill take effect. The Essential Plan also faces reductions; more than 12,800 NY-15 enrollees could lose coverage due to these changes.
Statewide projections indicate that over two million people may lose their current insurance coverage under provisions included in what is formally known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). This includes about 730,000 lawfully present non-citizens who could lose Essential Plan coverage due to a reduction exceeding half of its federal funding—about $7.5 billion—and an additional estimated 1.3 million people losing Medicaid because of new eligibility requirements.
Of those affected statewide, it is anticipated that roughly 1.5 million will become uninsured—a shift expected to increase uncompensated care costs for hospitals by over $3 billion each year.
Analysis by organizations such as Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) and Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) estimates annual cuts totaling $8 billion for hospitals and health systems across New York State due to OBBBA provisions. These losses may force hospitals—including those providing maternity care or psychiatric treatment—to reduce services or close entirely.
The bill does include a Rural Transformation Fund with $50 billion allocated nationally over five years for rural hospitals; however, state officials say this amount falls short compared with anticipated annual losses faced by facilities within New York alone.
For SNAP recipients statewide—nearly three million people—the law introduces a requirement that states contribute toward benefit costs or risk ending their programs altogether; previously these were federally funded with bipartisan support through multiple administrations. As a result, local governments may face up to $1.4 billion in new costs annually while also seeing reduced federal contributions toward administrative expenses.
Additional restrictions introduced by OBBBA include stricter work requirements for SNAP recipients—expected to cause more than 300,000 households statewide to lose some or all benefits—and narrower eligibility criteria excluding certain legally present noncitizens from assistance programs.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald commented on these developments: “These cuts will have a devastating impact on all New Yorkers, leaving an estimated 1.5 million people in New York uninsured, stripping social and health care safety net services, driving up food insecurity and leaving hospitals to shoulder the burden of increasing health care costs. These cuts to health care coverage are unprecedented and cruel. The State Department of Health will continue to work with Governor Kathy Hochul, our dedicated hospital systems and state agency partners to take every measure possible to mitigate the impact of this bill.”
Several elected officials echoed concerns about impacts on vulnerable populations throughout both urban centers like Bronx County—as noted by Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson—and rural communities dependent on essential services supported through Medicaid or SNAP.
“Republicans in Washington are resolute in their determination to inflict irreparable harm to the very programs that save the lives of millions of New Yorkers,” said Governor Kathy Hochul.
State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda described potential consequences as not only budgetary but humanitarian: “The so-called ‘Big Ugly Bill’ is not just a political threat; it’s a direct assault on the most vulnerable in our community…This is more than a budgetary concern; it is a humanitarian crisis that demands thoughtful action.”
Other lawmakers highlighted possible effects ranging from increased food insecurity among low-income families—with average household monthly losses projected at $220—to service reductions among community-based organizations delivering nutrition education through programs like SNAP-Ed.
In summary, state leaders warned that OBBBA-related policy changes would have wide-ranging fiscal impacts across government budgets while reducing access for many residents who depend upon public insurance plans or nutritional assistance.
