(Staten Island, NY) – Last night, over 150 Staten Island residents joined Citizen Action of New York at a town hall alongside Metro NY Healthcare for All, 1199 SEIU – United Healthcare Workers East, Staten Island Political Action Club, Staten Island DSA, Indivisible Brooklyn, the Center for Popular Democracy, and healthcare workers to sound the alarm on the devastating impact of proposed federal budget cuts to healthcare and housing programs.
Community members and advocates shared personal stories, raised concerns, and demanded action from elected officials — specifically calling on Representative Nicole Malliotakis — to protect vital programs that millions of New Yorkers rely on. Participants highlighted how cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and affordable housing initiatives would have disastrous consequences, particularly for seniors, low-income families, and frontline healthcare workers.
“Let’s be clear—these proposed cuts are a direct attack on working people, seniors, and our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Jesse Koklas, NYC Regional Director at Citizen Action of New York. “While billionaires and corporations get tax breaks, our communities are being told to sacrifice healthcare, lose their homes, and suffer in silence. We refuse to accept that. We demand our leaders fight back and put people over profits—because lives are on the line.”
“I am proud to be an 1199SEIU member who works as a nutritional aide to support individuals with disabilities. I am also a grandmother of two wonderful grandchildren who rely on Medicaid for essential medical and support services,” said Lisa Happel, 1199SEIU Member and NY-11 Constituent. “I see firsthand how crucial these resources are in helping people thrive. Medicaid is a lifeline to all of us and needs to be protected. It will be impossible to cut hundreds of billions from Medicaid without seriously impacting benefits and access to the constituents that you serve. My message to you is “Hands off Medicaid.”
“If these cuts go through, my sisters—one battling lupus, the other fighting fibromyalgia and diabetes—will lose the Medicaid that keeps them alive. My kids could lose the care they’ve had since birth,” said Jaxenia Weeks, Stapleton Houses resident and member of Citizen Action of New York. “It’s cruel to gut essential healthcare so the rich can get another tax break. Our lives are not disposable.”
“Staten Islanders care a lot about federal healthcare programs, and we hope that Rep. Malliotakis hears and understands how much Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act are valued by families,” said Mark Hannay, Director of Metro New York Health Care for All, and Coordinator of the NY-11 for Health Care project. “When it comes to paying for even more big tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy, people do not want to sacrifice their own health care, so she and her colleagues will have to find some other way.”
Representative Malliotakis was invited to attend the town hall and hear directly from her constituents but did not show up. Many attendees expressed disappointment in her absence and frustration that their voices continue to be ignored while Washington prioritizes tax breaks for the wealthy over the needs of everyday New Yorkers.