Union healthcare workers rally over concerns about Hochul’s budget proposal

Thousands of healthcare union workers arrived in Albany from around the state on Tuesday, packing MVP Arena for a rally.

The large healthcare union is calling on leaders to invest $2.5 billion in healthcare in the 2024 budget.

They say the budgets proposed by Senate and Assembly leaders make those investments, and they want to see the terms make the final cut.

Workers want the governor to invest in certain home care workers. They also want to see more than $1 billion more than proposed invested in so-called “safety net” hospitals in underserved communities.

Healthcare workers also pleading with the governor to make up for the shortfalls in Medicaid reimbursement — a 10% increase for hospitals, 20% for nursing homes.

Hochul’s proposed budget includes cuts to certain hospitals and reduces pay for some workers, they said.

Healthcare workers said they’re already burnt out from the pandemic. Without the state offering additional support, they say it will be devastating for patients.

NewsChannel 13 reached out to the governor’s office for a response to their concerns. Her office sent a list of the investments and improvements to the healthcare system included in the budget. Among those – the largest rate increase in Medicaid reimbursement in two decades. Workers say it doesn’t cut it.

Hear them talk more about why by watching the video of Stella Porter’s story.