On July 15, Empire State Voices, alongside Hudson Valley residents, cancer survivors who rely on Medicaid, community leaders, and advocates for lower health care costs, gathered outside Rep. Mike Lawler’s Mahopac office for the “WE PAY, HE PLAYS” rally.
During the rally, NY-17 constituents delivered a petition, which currently has 150 signatures, to both of Rep. Lawler’s in-district offices, demanding that Rep. Lawler support policies that lower health care costs for New York families.
The event comes as families across the Hudson Valley received notices that their monthly premiums would increase, in some instances by as much as 50%. Rep. Mike Lawler supported the Republican Tax Law that is making cuts to Medicaid, kicking families off the New York Essential Plan, and Rep. Lawler has continued to support House Republican Leadership even as they let health care tax credits expire. Rep. Mike Lawler is responsible for the premium spikes New York families are facing.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer during my third trimester and I continue to rely on the Affordable Care Act to manage the lasting effects of my treatment. I just got a letter saying that I need to pay $140 more per month to get health care,” said Karen from Yorktown. “For me, that’s the difference between groceries or turning on my AC, but $140 means nothing to the billionaires Mike Lawler would have rather given a tax break to. I will keep showing up to let my Congressman know who he is hurting when he picks politics over people. ”
“Once you survive cancer, you rely on scans, medications, specialist appointments, and preventive care for the rest of your life. That’s expensive enough—we simply can’t afford to keep letting Rep. Lawler gamble with our health insurance,” said Justine from Bedford. “I have seen firsthand what happens when people get access to the care they need, and I am proud to be here in Mahopac today, demanding more for myself and so many people like me.”
“Too many families are struggling right now with higher health care costs and grocery bills, and our leaders in Washington don’t seem to care enough to try and fix it,” said Robert from Stony Point. “I am devastated for my fellow New Yorkers whose affordable, reliable health care is caught in the crossfire of Rep. Lawler’s personal politics. I urge my Congressman to start taking action to lower our health care costs.”
“Watching Congressman Lawler’s repeatedly put his partisan agenda ahead of our livelihoods is exhausting. Today, hundreds of NY-17 residents have now made it clear they’re not going to keep watching as he takes away our health care access and jacks up the cost of living,” Empire State Voices Senior Organizing Director Dylan Wheeler said. “Time and again, Rep. Lawler has supported an agenda that gives tax breaks to billionaires while New Yorkers keep paying the price. Families in the Hudson Valley need Rep. Lawler to care more about his constituents than going on cable TV.”
Throughout July, Empire State Voices will be engaging with communities across the district to uplift voices of New Yorkers who are feeling the impact of health care cuts in the Republican Tax Law, which Rep. Mike Lawler voted for and continues to support.
Read more about the devastating impact the legislation is already having on Hudson Valley families here.