ACTION ALERT - Local 1168 Fights Back Against Hospital Closures; You Can Help

The Federal government’s massive giveaway to CEOs and corporations is costing working people.

As a result of the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," Kaleida Health, one of CWA's largest healthcare employers, announced the closure of several clinics due to federal funding cuts. This isn't just a blow to the communities these clinics serve and a dangerous sign of things to come for the rest of our communities; it means over one hundred CWA members are losing their jobs.

Local 1168 is already stepping up to fight back against these cuts. On September 22nd the Local rallied along with Congressman Tim Kennedy as well as other Western New York labor leaders and elected leaders to address the looming healthcare funding crisis resulting from these funding cuts:

• Job losses for healthcare workers
• Cuts in essential services for our neighbors
• Strain on remaining facilities that puts patients at risk

“The CEO of Kaleida, who makes more $3 million per year, put our community’s access to care on the chopping block rather than reduce his own salary or fight back against Congress’s cruel Medicaid cuts,” said Denise Abbott, ER nurse at Degraff Memorial Hospital, Health and Safety Director, CWA 1168, and President of the Western NY Area Labor Federation. “Workers everywhere are being forced to reckon with higher costs and local closures, like this facility here in Amherst, so that billionaires and CEOs can take another tax break.”

“[The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’] was a betrayal to the commitment we have made as a nation to care for those in need, to ensure healthcare for all, and to keep costs in check,” said Rep. Kennedy. “I stood with many of the people here today and all across our community and rang the alarm bell. We made it clear in no uncertain terms that the bill would close hospitals and nursing facilities and clinics; premiums would skyrocket; there would be a degradation of services across our country; and millions of people would lose their health insurance. And today, we’re here because sadly those predictions are becoming a reality. This is just the tip of the iceberg.”

We need action from our elected leaders now to put a stop to the consequences of these federal funding cuts:

• Job losses for healthcare workers
• Cuts in essential services for our neighbors
• Strain on remaining facilities that puts patients at risk

>>Send an email to Governor Hochul to demand that New York State step in and find a solution to keep our healthcare centers OPEN!

Watch the full press conference here!