The Peru Gazette

”I am deeply concerned with how the Big Beautiful Bill will impact the North Country. Without a doubt, our medical system will suffer under the cuts in this bill. Our rural hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, disability support services, and all other local healthcare providers will bear the brunt of the cuts. Even those who are not enrolled in Medicaid will feel the effects of this bill. All of our local healthcare facilities rely on Medicaid dollars to function, and the sweeping cuts to Medicaid under the budget bill will inevitably force providers to close their practices which will lead to people losing their jobs. It will also drive-up private insurance costs for New Yorkers as hospitals struggle to pay for services provided. Local businesses will also be impacted by these cuts because health insurance premiums for their employees will increase.

“On top of this, it will cut SNAP benefits to those in need, which provides fresh food options for thousands of residents across the region. And where does this fresh food come from? Local farms. It is important to remember that it is not just the benefit recipients who will be negatively impacted by this bill, but our local farmers and the many people they employ as well.

“The North Country simply cannot afford to lose any more medical services. Our region already struggles with far distances between home and care and a continued decline in qualified providers in our area. This federal budget bill will cut services to the elderly, disabled, and hardworking New Yorkers who struggle to make ends meet, despite many working multiple jobs.

“Supporters say that this bill will save money, but I ask how? This bill will not cut down on our national debt, but instead will increase it by trillions of dollars. How is this fiscally responsible? We were promised affordability, and this bill will do nothing to help working Americans make ends meet.”