ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Thursday marked the 61st anniversary of the signing of the Medicare and Medicaid Act.
On this day, rallies were held in locations in upstate New York to recognize the important date and to call for action to protect affordable healthcare in all communities.
Rallygoers in Rochester chanted, “Healthcare is a human right. Fight, fight, fight. Healthcare is a human right.”
New Yorkers attending the rallies called for affordable healthcare for everyone on the same day that marks the anniversary of the signing of the Medicare and Medicaid Act, government programs that help pay for healthcare.
It’s a system some say is being threatened.
“Our biggest concern is the draconian cuts that came from the federal district. And that is an atrocity,” said Geneo Brown of Citizen Action of New York. “Instead of celebrating progress, we’re confronting the largest cuts in medical history, right? In July 2025, President Donald Trump signed a One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
That act includes changes to the Medicaid and Medicare programs, including work requirements, funding reductions and eligibility checks.
Esther Rivkin receives Medicaid and SNAP benefits and is coping with diabetes, mental health issues and other physical ailments.
“I’ve had some mental health issues, bipolar, PTSD and things,” Rivkin said. “So, without the medication that helps me shut down my mind at night, I wouldn’t get sleep.”
“This is the lifeline of our community,” Monroe County Legislator Mercedes Vazquez Simmons said, speaking out in support of the effort. “Healthcare is essential for our community. We cannot allow federal mandates to impact our community.
“This is a reality for many,” she continued. “This isn’t folks that are choosing not to work. These are folks that, for one reason or the other, are in a situation that they’re in. And we have to make sure as government that we’re taking care of all citizens.”
Many supporters of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will say that these changes are necessary in order to prevent waste, fraud and abuse.
“I think no matter who the president is, no matter who controls Congress, who’s in power in Washington, people are always going to be frustrated,” said New York state Assemblyman Josh Jensen.
He says any time the federal government passes national legislation, it will affect every state differently.
“Instead of being on a war footing with the federal government, we should be trying to find areas where we can work collaboratively and say, ‘Hey, this is what your goal is,’” Jensen said. “We’re also going to take concerns about waste, fraud and abuse seriously, and we’re going to make sure that we have a program that’s working for as many New Yorkers as it can and working in the best possible way.”
“You can do two things. You can still be fiscally sound and responsible, and yet take care of the basic needs of the people,” said Vazquez Simmons.