Millions Of New Yorkers Could Lose Medicaid Benefits

There may be bad news coming soon for New Yorkers who rely on Medicaid. As the new administration and Congress, both Republican-controlled, settle in, they are looking at resources to cut for Americans. Even though the economy is tanking and New York families are struggling, they are seeking to cut even more benefits from working families.

What Is Medicaid Vs. Medicare?

Sometimes people get Medicaid and Medicare confused. While they both provide healthcare coverage to New Yorkers, there are some big differences. Medicare is for New Yorkers aged 65 and older, as well as some people who are younger and have certain disabilities. Medicaid offers coverage to a wider range of New Yorkers,

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that, together with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), provides health coverage to over 77.9 million Americans, including children, pregnant women, parents, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Medicaid is the single largest source of health coverage in the United States.

In New York, there are 6,912,571 people enrolled in Medicaid as of February 2025. Massive changes could impact these New Yorkers soon, if the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress gets its way.

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Republicans In Congress Seek To Cut Medicaid Funding

As Republicans look for ways to cut the federal budget to give tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations, it seems that Medicaid has found its way into their crosshairs. According to CBS 6 Albany, they are currently considering spending cuts, which could affect Medicaid benefits. Per the Commonwealth Fund, there is a resolution that proposes cutting $880 billion from the committee overseeing Medicaid.

Congress may consider requiring Medicaid recipients to work or volunteer in order to receive their benefits. Experts say these requirements and monetary cuts could put over 3 million New Yorkers at risk of losing their coverage.

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Here's How Many Medicaid Recipients Are In Each County:

ALBANY - 71,547
ALLEGANY - 12,598
BRONX - 927,035
BROOME - 6,474
CATTARAUGUS - 21,449
CAYUGA - 19,945
CHAUTAUQUA - 38,945
CHEMUNG - 29,352
CHENANGO - 14,241
CLINTON - 19,811
COLUMBIA - 14,546
CORTLAND - 12,075
DELAWARE - 10,263
DUTCHESS - 62,888
ERIE - 254,835
ESSEX - 8,081
FRANKLIN - 14,516
FULTON - 14,711
GENESEE - 13,019
GREENE - 12,256
HAMILTON - 698
HERKIMER - 16,419
JEFFERSON - 29,028
KINGS (BROOKLYN) - 1,299,235
LEWIS - 5,218
LIVINGSTON - 11,824
MADISON - 15,673
MONROE - 200,898
MONTGOMERY - 18,610
NASSAU - 309,776
NEW YORK (MANHATTAN) - 484,266
NIAGARA - 54,080
ONEIDA - 70,840
ONONDAGA - 119,472
ONTARIO - 22,685
ORANGE - 127,261
ORLEANS - 10,997
OSWEGO - 33,410
OTSEGO - 13,227
PUTNAM - 17,859
QUEENS - 1,115,064
RENSSELAER - 35,750
RICHMOND (STATEN ISLAND) - 182,234
ROCKLAND - 151,610
SAINT LAWRENCE - 28,473
SARATOGA - 36,750
SCHENECTADY - 47,690
SCHOHARIE - 7,117
SCHUYLER - 3,534
SENECA - 7,690
STEUBEN - 26,276
SUFFOLK - 368,517
SULLIVAN - 28,496
TIOGA - 11,977
TOMPKINS - 16,540
ULSTER - 48,838
WARREN - 15,676
WASHINGTON - 16,440
WAYNE - 21,492
WESTCHESTER - 241,075
WYOMING - 8,898
YATES - 4,946

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