Rochester healthcare workers call on Albany lawmakers to close Medicaid coverage cap

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Thousands of caregivers and healthcare workers are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislators to reverse healthcare cuts and close the Medicaid coverage gap.

Those workers held a rally in Albany on Tuesday. Members of the United Health Care Workers East Union are calling for at least a $2.5 billion investment in the new New York State Budget.

The money would go towards an increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates, restoring safety net funding, and raising the minimum wage for these workers. We spoke with some local caregivers before that rally.

“A lot of residents lack the care that they should be getting because the funding isn’t there,” said healthcare worker union member Tiara Tazell. “This has been going on for years. The last increase in funding, it’s been over 20 years. The time is now, so we’re calling on Albany to make sure that happens.”

The budget is due April 1. That gives state lawmakers just over a week to finalize it and vote.