CWAers Fight to Stop Disastrous Cuts to Healthcare Services
In the wake of the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that will slash federal funding for healthcare services, many healthcare facilities throughout the country are taking the opportunity to make their own drastic cuts to services and staff.
Kaleida Health in Buffalo, NY, where CWA Local 1168 represents thousands of workers, has already announced the planned closure of several vital services throughout the region, signalling a deeper incoming crisis for a healthcare system that is already struggling and a workforce that is already stretched far too thin.
CWA Local 1168 has stepped up to help lead the fight to protect our communities and keep as many services open as possible. On February 19th, Local 1168 leaders and members joined other healthcare workers, patients, and community members to defend access to critical rehab care at a public hearing addressing Kaleida’s proposal to cut Medical Rehabilitation Unit services at Buffalo General Medical Center.
"There's just not enough medical rehab beds at Erie County Medical Center, and Catholic Health, and now here," said CWA 1168 President Cori Gambini. "Everybody's cutting those beds, right? The focus has lately been on acute care. So, we can save a life, and we'll take care of you, and they do a great job, we do a great job here doing that, but when it comes down to rehab, you're going to be on your own."
The Medical Rehab Unit currently serves an average of 26 to 29 patients per day; reducing the unit would leave eight to eleven patients per day without access to rehab services.
CWA healthcare members aren’t stopping there — on March 6th, CWA Locals 1122, 1133, 1168, and others joined a huge coalition of unions and community groups in Western New York to hold a press conference calling on the State Legislature to include money in the NYS budget to address funding cuts impacting our communities.
Following the passage of the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in Congress last year, billions of dollars are being cut from healthcare funding — these devastating cuts will impact healthcare funding to our local hospitals, nursing homes, homecare and clinics, risking healthcare jobs, cutting services, and increasing wait times for care.
“Medicaid cuts are directly worsening short staffing in our facilities,” said Brian Magner, RN and President of CWA Local 1133. “When positions go unfilled and workloads grow, patients wait longer, complications increase, and lives are put at risk. We are calling on New York State to increase Medicaid funding in this year’s budget to protect safe staffing and patient care.”
"Shutting down clinics and reducing Medical Rehab Unit beds goes beyond merely cutting services,” said Cori Gambini, RN and President of CWA Local 1168. “It hinders recovery, deprives patients of their independence, and places immense pressure on families and an already overwhelmed Healthcare system. It is imperative that New York State fills in the gap that the Federal Government took from this community. Medicaid funding from NYS must ensure these vital services remain open and accessible.”
From the Desk of the Assistant to the Vice President of CWA District 1: Why Do We Engage in Politics?
CWAers Fight to Stop Disastrous Cuts to Healthcare Services
Upcoming Event: Info Session on Rising Costs of Healthcare