Prissana Alston (00:02):
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke for being here and allowing us to participate in this very important conversation regarding the destabilization of Medicaid. I would now like to introduce Dr. Jason Hershberger, who is the chair of our psychiatry for One Brooklyn Health.
Jason Hershberger (00:19):
Thank you, Dr. Alston. Thank you, Congressman Jeffries. Thank you Congresswoman Clarke. Thank you for all the fierce advocates in this room here to defend Medicaid. It's my honor to start this ceremony and introduce Congressman Jeffries on this very important topic. Being poor in America is really difficult. It's really hard. It's really hard, but one thing that provides stability and hope for people going through that is Medicaid. Cuts, threatened cuts, to Medicaid, sow fear across our country. It sows fear here in the inner city. It sows fear in rural counties of New York City. It doesn't matter if you're a red state, a blue state, everywhere. Everyone in America is affected by Medicaid cuts. So I'm very honored to introduce Congressman Jeffries, who is the House minority leader. He's been a great advocate for health equity, for mental health initiatives because I'm a psychiatrist and for the safety and hospital system that provides hope and care for people who really need it.
Hakeem Jeffries (01:28):
Thank you. Good morning everyone. Thank you, Dr. Hershberger. Thank you to the chairman, the entire Interfaith Medical Center team, as well as the One Brooklyn Health team for all of the tremendous work that you do on behalf of the people that Congresswoman Clarke and myself are privileged to represent here in central Brooklyn. I want to thank George and the SEIU family for all of the incredible advocacy and work that you do. 1199 family, of course, Michele [inaudible 00:02:03] as well. To all of the advocates to the Reverend Dr. Waterman who is here. This is a moment that we need prayer and leadership from the clergy as well.
(02:15)
Republicans have proposed the largest Medicaid cut in American history. It will devastate children, families, people with disabilities, older Americans, women, and everyday Americans in this community, in the city of New York, and across the country. Why have they proposed the largest Medicaid cut in American history? It's because they want to pass massive tax breaks for billionaire donors like Elon Musk and wealthy corporations. It's unacceptable. It's unconscionable. It's un-American. And together we're going to do everything we have to do to stop these cuts from ever taking effect.
(03:12)
We're going to hear from a variety of different individuals who will personally be affected by these cuts, or have the people that they care for be impacted and hurt by this Medicaid cut that has been proposed. All across the country, we're having a Medicaid day of action to save Medicaid here in New York City, in New York state, in blue states, in purple states, in red states, all across America.
(03:52)
Medicaid is healthcare, and we believe that in the United States of America, healthcare is not simply a right. It is a privilege that should… Not simply a privilege, it is a right. Making sure y'all are paying attention. Medicaid is healthcare. It's healthcare for the people in this community, in this city, in this country, and it is not simply a privilege to have healthcare in the United States of America. It is a right and we're going to fight to make sure that that right is alive and well and save Medicaid in the United States of America.
(04:43)
It's now my honor to introduce my sister who represents the neighboring congressional district. We're in the 8th congressional district right now in Bedford-Stuyvesant, and the Interfaith Medical Center is such an important part of healthcare in this community for the Bedford- Stuyvesant people that I represent, but also for the people of Central Brooklyn that Yvette Clarke represents right across the street in Crown Heights in the 9th congressional district. She's also the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (05:20):
Greetings and good morning everyone. As has been stated, I'm Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and I proudly represent the people of the 9th district of New York and I am chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Let me thank my leader, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries for today's press conference, and to all of the advocates, professionals who stand with us, as we say no cuts to Medicaid.
(05:51)
We all know why we've gathered here today, and that is to address the partisan spending bill Congressional Republicans passed that represents an extremely direct, extremely dangerous attack on veterans, families, seniors, and everyday New Yorkers. We can call this attack what it is with certainty because it is an assault on healthcare of our neighbors that depend on it just to live, healthcare in our nation was promised to them. And so I'm proud to stand at Leader Jeffries' side for this Medicaid day of action. Just as I am proud to call myself a colleague to Democrats across this nation who are speaking the same message we are today, relaying the same dangers of this spending bill and standing for the same people and families it will hurt.
(06:50)
I also serve on the Committee of Jurisdiction for Healthcare in the House of Representatives, the Energy and Commerce Committee, and we have been sent a mandate essentially to cut $880 billion from the federal budget in order to provide space in the budget for the trillions of tax cuts to the wealthiest in the United States of America. This is a humanitarian crisis and unfortunately there is a move afoot to make sure that we all are impacted by these Draconian cuts.
(07:36)
We've engaged in this national mission to speak to millions of Americans across the country who have lived good, decent lives, the people who are now at risk of losing their healthcare and housing, safer communities, and retirement security due to the cuts made by those who haven't come close to the same standard of decency. In the face of this latest scheme to slash Medicare and Social Security to pay for tax breaks for billionaires, know that House Democrats will use every tool at our disposal to stop this devastating scheme, but it requires all of us.
(08:22)
It is clear that Republicans have put a bullseye on the most vulnerable Americans among us, and we will not sit down and stay quiet while they do. In New York's 9th district alone, the community that I've called home my entire life, cuts to Medicaid will severely impact over 65,000 people over the age of 65, 24,000 disabled children and adults, 146,000 young adults, 85,000 parents and caretakers, 149,000 children, and 11,000 pregnant women. And those numbers, we can see that these cuts will hurt roughly 500,000 people within my district alone. That's almost half of our district.
(09:25)
There are real people who will lose more than $5 million in Medicaid benefits and the services they rely on. I can tell you that you'll see similar disturbing figures across this nation. Republicans continue to rob Americans to fill the pockets of the rich, and their actions are costing lives. Democrats will continue to fight back by holding Republicans accountable, and let me just close
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (10:00):
… those with this, human beings are human beings. They are born into this world without party affiliation. This is going to impact all Americans, all of us. The cascading effect of cutting $880 billion out of healthcare will not only mean the threat to our health and well-being. It will mean higher unemployment. It will mean the closure of hospitals and federally qualified healthcare institutions within our communities. It will mean devastation at every turn. We have just recovered from a pandemic. We are seeing the outbreak of measles across this nation. This is not the time for the most wealthiest in our nation, the top 1% to line their pockets at the expense of the health and well-being of the people of the United States. It's time to stand up. It's time to fight back. It is now my honor to bring to the podium at this time Shashina Salvador, one of the constituents of the 8th District who has her story to share with you today.
Shashina Salvador (11:28):
Thank you. Good morning everybody. How are you guys? Thank you Jeffries and Congresswoman. My name is Shashina Salvador, and I live in Gravesend. I'm also a single woman and a mother to this amazing two-year-old, Aviano, who just celebrated her birthday. I am also a Massachusetts National Guard veteran and I am a member of MomsRising. Thank you, Leader Jeffries, for all you're doing to fight for working families like mine and for the opportunity to share my story today. My family depends on Medicaid to stay healthy and I'm horrified that this critical program is under attack.
(12:09)
I first enrolled in Medicaid when I was pregnant with Aviano. At that time, I was working at a child care program and I did not have health insurance. Medicaid made all the difference for me. Because of Medicaid, I was able to access the prenatal care I needed to maintain a healthy pregnancy. I didn't have to avoid going to the doctor or skip filling prescriptions for fear I couldn't pay. I could deliver my daughter without worrying about going into deep medical debt and I'm not alone. Nearly half of the births in New York are covered by Medicaid.
(12:41)
Since Aviano was born, Medicaid has also been critical for her healthcare. Medicaid is the reason I can take her for all her checkups that support her growth and her development. It also means that if I'm worried she's seriously sick, I could take her to a doctor. What could be more important than keeping our nation's kids healthy? I can't tell you what it feels like to watch your healthcare and your baby's healthcare get debated in Congress like it's a political chess piece, but I can tell you I feel like Republican lawmakers have their priorities upside down. Billionaires don't need another tax cut. Families need healthcare. I'm counting on lawmakers to stop playing games or programs like Medicaid and focus on real problems. Problems that are holding our families and economy back, like the child care crisis. I had to leave my job at a child care program because I could not afford child care.
(13:38)
We barely scraped by and I used to squeeze in DoorDash shifts where I could. Right now, I work weekends and care for Aviano during the week and I'll do almost anything to provide for her, but it's exhausting. In short, Medicaid is God sent for my family. I have no idea what we do without it. The thought of losing Medicaid is chilling. So instead of slashing funds or proposing more burdensome work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP, that would punish caregivers, let's invest in the care infrastructure that parents need to be in the workforce and provide for our families. I'm so grateful for Leader Jeffries and Congresswoman and everyone here today for standing up for Medicaid. The program is essential for families health and wellbeing and moms like me.
Jeffries (14:52):
We'll fight, I promise to stand up for you. One of you up for questions.
Flores (15:03):
Thank you so much, Congressman Jeffries and thank you, Congresswoman. That's my Congresswoman. That's where I live. I'm pediatrician, but I'm also the kind of physician that runs… have to please care and going to… and I want to remind people that this is not just an inner-city problem. It is a problem any different types of hospitals, territories, municipals, federal, international, and I will tell you that the impact people that live in rural more than even urban areas, that it is going to hurt all of us. People don't stop getting sick. Hospitals closes, those people have to [inaudible 00:16:24], or they no longer had coverage, have to go somewhere when they're very sick, have to go and they have disease. Where are they going? They're going to the next [inaudible 00:16:40]. That ambulance is going to take the hospital or Medicaid.
(16:44)
I've comfortably been able to use those services. It's not going to be there. I've run those hospitals also, who have to serve everyone. The person that comes in of many prescriptions is through Medicaid. So especially as we age, those prescription costs are going to go up. So all that needed medication that we can barely afford now, we will not be able to afford. This is a problem that affects us all. This is a cut that is going to affect everyone. It is impossible to go forward with these kinds of cuts. And I say that as a physician, a pediatrician, and a member of the community, and thank you so much for being here, the mother that spoke before me. It's not a time of fear, it's a time of action. So let's get going. Thank you.
Gary Stevens (17:37):
Good morning.
Crowd (17:38):
Good morning.
Gary Stevens (17:40):
My name is Gary Stevens. I am the chief medical officer of One Brooklyn Health. I'm a cardiothoracic surgeon. So when I'm not helping my colleagues run this great institution, I'm in somebody's chest doing heart surgery. But it's important to us that I want us to cast our vision a few years down the road. While there is an immediacy to the impact of Medicaid cuts, Medicaid cuts will affect chronic disease management. And I want you to think brain, heart and kidney. This untreated hypertension and diabetes is going to lead to heart attacks 15 years from now, is going to lead to stroke 15 years from now, and it's going to lead to renal failure and increased cost. So it's important that we understand that this cut is really cost avoidance. It's transferring debt to later on down the road, and while we can spend a dollar today managing somebody's hypertension, it's going to cost you $100 to manage their stroke by comparison.
(18:54)
And I think that's an important part of this conversation, and this debt will come due and we need to be able to stop it now. The decisions we make today is going to impact the life of that young lady because she's going to be responsible for paying for this. We need to be smart. We need to join this fight, and we need to be joining with the congressman and the leader to make sure that we stop these cuts because it's important to some unsuspecting person out there who is going to pay the cost of this in a few years. Thank you very much.
Jeffries (19:32):
Thank you, Dr. Stevens and Dr. Flores, for your incredible service to our community. Before we open it up, I did want to yield to SEIU L99. We have the president, George Gresham, who is here. George, I don't know if you wanted to say a few words. And as you make your way over here, let me yield to Michelle, who is a tremendous forceful community advocate leader of SEIU L99
Jeffries (20:04):
… here at Interfaith Hospital.
Michelle Nend (20:07):
Good morning, everyone.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Good morning.
Michelle Nend (20:09):
My name is Michelle Nend. I am a delegate. I'm an employee here at Interfaith Medical Center for the past 42 years, going on 43 years. At this time …
Jeffries (20:21):
You're good.
Michelle Nend (20:22):
Can you hear me?
Speaker 2 (20:23):
You're good.
Michelle Nend (20:24):
At this time, we have some serious business to talk to you about today. Media, listen up carefully. Medicaid and Medicare cut in this community is unacceptable. Mr. Hakeem Jeffries, our speaker, Congresswoman, this information needs to get back to Washington. This is no joke. Look at where you are. This is Bedford-Stuyvesant. In this community here, we need the funding. We cannot tell patients that come to our doors, through this ED, that we cannot see them. We have to treat every patient that come through this door as if they were at Mount Sinai and all the other North Shore hospitals. If we don't get funding, we will not be able to serve this community.
(21:11)
I started off in healthcare early, at the age of 12, because I had to get in the back of an ambulance every week to take my mother to this very hospital, St. John's at the time, because of asthma. If she did not have insurance, she would not have been seen, and she would have died. Again, the message is that we need funding. We are a part of a safety net hospital, OBHS. We don't get money unless it comes from government subsidy.
(21:40)
So at this time, I'm urging every one of you to take this message back. We need the funding. Do not cut Medicaid. Do not cut Medicare. The community needs it. We will not have staff to work if we don't get the tools to work. At this time, I am pleading to you, Mr. Jeffries. Bring this message back, and thank you all for hearing me.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Thank you. Can you hear me now? Good morning, everyone.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
Good morning.
Speaker 3 (22:34):
We're here today for a very, very serious reason, but we shouldn't be here. We should not have to direct the priorities of this country, based on humanity, and that's what we're doing. Over 60 years ago, Dr. King said to 1199, in a speech to us, that of all of the discriminations that occur in this country, the most egregious was that of healthcare. That was 60 years ago, and that's true today as it was then.
(23:23)
We cannot sit by and allow those who have the resources that would last them three, four, five lifetimes to say that they're going to cut money out of Medicare, out of Medicaid. Have they lost their mind, or do they think we've lost our minds by allowing them to do that? And so we, in 1199, are going to speak up as loudly as we can, because the consequence of not doing that is death. People don't like to be dramatic, but I'm not going to sanitize it. That is the reality of what happens. People, when they no longer have primary care that they can get, the emergency room becomes their primary physician. If you go into the average hospital now, into the emergency room, it looks like a MASH unit. Just imagine, if you will, what will happen.
(24:26)
And as was said before, we did not expect the last pandemic. Imagine how wise we would look if we allow 880 billion dollars to be transferred out of healthcare to give people a tax break, and we get hit with another pandemic. This community knows well what it feels like to be hit by a pandemic, because we had the highest deaths in this community, because COVID really was a symbol of survival of the fittest, when it first came out, when we didn't have a vaccine. And so those that were not getting the best care, period, were the ones that were to die the quickest.
(25:16)
We cannot put that burden on Interfaith Hospital or One Brooklyn Health hospitals or any hospital in Appalachia in the South. They may not look like us, but they are humans. They deserve the same quality of care. Life and healthcare should show no humanity. Your healthcare cannot depend on your ZIP code or your life expectancy, so we urge you. Sometimes we are quiet. Me, as the president of 1199, it's my privilege to speak for 450,000 healthcare workers in this country. Congresswoman Clarke, it's her privilege to speak for the areas that she represent in Brooklyn. The same with our leader, Hakeem Jeffries.
(26:14)
But there comes a time when we must speak for ourselves. Everybody needs to hear this voice. I do not have the voice of 450,000, but I'm going to work very hard to make sure that the 450,000 stand what we need. The beginning of this country was founded because things were not being treated right. I say today, we need a nonviolent healthcare revolution in this country.
(26:53)
There's nothing more to say. Let's just do the work. The work got to get done. We cannot afford for that cute little sweetheart, wherever she is. We can't think about it. They're taking away her future. How dare they? So they can get a lower tax rate. Have they lost their mind, or do they think we've lost ours? Thank you.
Jeffries (27:16):
Questions?
Speaker 4 (27:25):
Good morning, Leader Jeffries. It's been mentioned that Democrats are willing to use every tool in the toolbox in order to fight these cuts. Can you give some specifics as to what those tools might be?
(27:35)
And then also, in recent days, we've seen what appears to be some division amongst Democrats in Washington, with some House members being very critical of Chuck Schumer. Do you feel like you're being able to unite Democrats, particularly at a time like this?
Jeffries (27:50):
Sunday, we had a good conversation about the path forward, particularly as it relates to making sure we all speak with one voice in the effort to stop these Medicaid cuts from ever being enacted into law. All across the country, led by House Democrats, we're having a Medicaid Day Of Action, engagements, site visits, town hall meetings, press conferences, interactions with our constituents, hearing from healthcare providers all across the country to elevate their voices, to make sure that the American people understand that this is a matter of life and death when it comes to saving Medicaid.
(28:34)
And so the next few weeks in Washington DC, Republicans are going to try to jam this budget down the throats of the American people. Every single House Democrat and every single Senate Democrat voted against the initial budget resolution at the end of February, and we remain united in stopping these Medicaid cuts. Thanks.
Speaker 5 (28:59):
Leader Jeffries, you and Leader Schumer issued a joint statement about Medicaid and the threat today. Why isn't he here now, and when do you think you'll appear together on this cause?
Jeffries (29:07):
Yeah, I assume that he's participating in other engagements throughout the state, but Senate Democrats have been very clear. They're partnering with House Democrats to stop these cuts from ever taking effect.
(29:22)
Understand: These are the largest Medicaid cuts in American history, and Medicaid is a vital healthcare program for over 90 million Americans, millions here in the city and across the state. Women and children and families and seniors and Americans with disabilities all rely on Medicaid to get their healthcare. It's inhumane, what the Republicans are trying to do, and we're going to expose their scheme all across the country. It's a scheme to jam
Jeffries (30:00):
… these massive tax cuts down the throats of the American people for their billionaire donors and wealthy corporations who don't need it. And then they want to force working-class Americans to pay the bill by robbing working-class Americans of their healthcare. We will not let it happen.
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (30:18):
That's right.
Jeffries (30:18):
You're welcome.
Speaker 6 (30:23):
Leader Jeffries, I note that you and Chuck Schumer issued a joint statement a while ago supporting this Medicaid Day of Action so there's unity on this. But Mr. Schumer actually was on CBS this morning and he was talking about his controversial decision to let the continued resolution [inaudible 00:30:43].
(30:43)
And what he said today was interesting in that he said that he was told by a Republican senator that if they didn't do this bill, that there would be a shutdown of government between six and nine months. And that the damage that the Republicans could do in terms of furloughing people and stopping this economy could be devastating.
(31:05)
So I wonder if now after the dust has cleared and the smoke has cleared, if you can somehow see his logic in the decision that I know you didn't like about his decision to try to let the government go forward.
Jeffries (31:20):
Well, as House Democrats, we stand by our decision to oppose the Republican spending bill because the partisan Republican spending bill that was not negotiated with Democrats, it was written by Donald Trump and House Republicans would hurt families, hurt veterans and hurt seniors.
(31:39)
It would cut healthcare, cut veterans benefits and cut nutritional assistance from children and families all across America, including in the communities that Congresswoman Clarke and I represent. So that was not an acceptable thing for us.
(31:54)
Our view was that the choice was between voting down the partisan reckless Republican spending bill, and then forcing Republicans to explain why they were unwilling to accept a four-week spending agreement that would simply allow Democrats and Republicans to try to arrive at a spending bill that would meet the needs of the American people.
(32:22)
It was the Republican's choice, in our view, to potentially shut down the government and they would have to explain that to the American people.
Speaker 6 (32:29):
But if I could just follow up. If you could just tell us how do you feel about Chuck Schumer's decision to do what he did and the fact that he continues to take incoming bullets day after day after day and it hasn't stopped. Is that right? Is it wrong? And do you support his leadership of the Senate?
Jeffries (32:43):
Yes.
Speaker 6 (32:43):
Yes what?
Jeffries (32:46):
Yes, I do. Thanks.
Speaker 7 (32:48):
Thank you, [inaudible 00:32:49]. Recent polling over the weekend from NBC and CNN showed that Democrats favorability is at a record low. Do you see events like this, these local events with [inaudible 00:32:58] as a part of the strategy to help rebuild the Democrats brand on the national level?
Jeffries (33:03):
Yeah. This is not about the Democratic brand. This is about the American people and the folks whose healthcare is under assault. I think that the politics of this will take care of itself, right, and it'll take care of itself as early as next year in the midterm elections.
(33:23)
But right now, it's about stopping these extreme things from happening that are wildly inconsistent with what Donald Trump and Republicans were talking to the American people about last year.
(33:37)
All last year, all last year, Donald Trump and the Republicans were talking about they were going to drive down the high cost of living in the United States of America and rebuild the economy. Their words, and then they were running away from Project 2025 as if it didn't exist.
(33:55)
This year, they've done nothing to improve the economy, nothing to drive down the high cost of living in the United States of America. We believe that the cost of living is too high and that we have to lower housing costs and child care costs and the cost of groceries and insurance costs and utility costs.
(34:15)
We as Democrats want to work on that. Republicans have done nothing to improve the economy. In fact, costs aren't going down, they're going up. Inflation is going up, and Donald Trump and the Republicans are crashing the economy in real time and potentially driving us toward a recession.
(34:33)
So they've done nothing on the economy and everything we're seeing is all part of Project 2025,-
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (34:40):
That's right.
Jeffries (34:42):
… which they claimed didn't exist last year, and now they're trying to jam it down the throats of the American people.
(34:47)
They lied to the American people. We're going to hold them accountable. The politics will take care of itself. But I'm very confident that next November, we're taking back control of the United States House of Representatives.
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (34:59):
I think that the way that this has been constructed is incorrect. Like I said, human beings are human beings. We are not born into partisan politics. We are born into a life that we expect will respect human dignity.
(35:24)
And here we are, 2025, with a new administration that has demonstrated that they value some lives over others. And we cannot stand as Americans regardless and irrespective of political party and just take it. We have to fight back. This is about the lives that we lead.
(35:51)
Whether you're Republican or you're a Democrat, without your health, nothing else matters. And so we are appealing not only to Democrats, but to people of goodwill, irrespective of party, to stand up, stand up for your neighbors, stand up for your co-workers, stand up for the families.
(36:11)
Stand up for those you worship with, because in this moment, we will all be paying a dear price if we don't stand up.
Jeffries (36:22):
Last question. Last two questions.
Speaker 8 (36:24):
Leader Jeffries, you said that you support Chuck Schumer's leadership. There are some in your caucus who disagree and have been sharply critical of him. Do those voices, AOC, Jasmine Crockett among them, does that help Democratic unity and have you urged your caucus to align itself with Schumer and the rest of the-
Jeffries (36:42):
Yeah, we all align on the fights that are in front of us on behalf of the people that we represent here in Brooklyn and New York City and across the country. And that's saving Medicaid, saving social security, saving Medicare, all of which Elon Musk and Donald Trump and the Republicans, they want to take a chainsaw to Medicaid.
(37:07)
They want to take a chainsaw to social security. They want to take a chainsaw to Medicare. But let me be clear, we're going to take a chainsaw to Project 2025.
Speaker 9 (37:22):
Leader Jeffries, this is just a clarifying question, but I do just want to underline that. Does this mean that you do have confidence in Schumer?
Jeffries (37:30):
Yes. Thank you very much.
