Staff Report / April 14, 2025
Concerns over proposed federal cuts to Medicaid and other healthcare programs dominated the Yates County Human Services Committee meeting Monday, drawing emotional testimony from residents and local health professionals. Speakers expressed fear that drastic budget reductions could harm the county’s most vulnerable populations — seniors, veterans, children, and those reliant on healthcare clinics and mental health services.
Valerie Brechko, a local senior, voiced fears shared by several attendees, calling the situation “scary and frustrating.” Barbara Craig, a nurse, pointed to the House of Representatives’ proposal to cut $880 billion from Medicaid over the next decade. “This is not a partisan issue,” she said. “It is a moral one.” Legislator Patrick Killen pushed for specifics, citing personal experience with government inefficiencies, but many insisted that even the possibility of such sweeping cuts warranted urgent attention.
Committee members also heard updates from county staff already feeling the effects of staffing cuts at the federal level. Amy Miller from Social Services reported that the Department of Health and Human Services had eliminated all staff tied to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), leaving uncertainty as the summer season approaches. Public Services Director Dr. Doug Sinclair echoed that uncertainty, stating his department had already lost key support staff.
Ultimately, the committee agreed to draft a proactive letter to state and federal representatives, urging them to maintain critical healthcare funding. Legislators emphasized that while exact details of the proposed cuts remain unclear, the potential consequences for local services — and taxpayers — are significant. As Legislator Sarah Purdy noted, New York counties shoulder a disproportionate share of Medicaid costs, making early advocacy vital.
