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Hi friend,
In this week’s edition of the Patriot Weekly, I want to give you some important updates on a few of the issues I’ve been championing over the last few months. Namely, improving the quality of health care here in the Hudson Valley and fighting to restore funding for our local food banks. I’ve also been hard at work down in Washington as we continue to debate the budget. While Trump has been overly focused on his $400 million jet, I am focused on making sure we are funding the critical resources and programs to help families here in the Hudson Valley and across the country.
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What's going on
Hudson Valley
A few weeks ago, I told you about my community survey focused on health care in the Hudson Valley. We received more than 1,800 responses from patients and current and former healthcare workers, and the findings were deeply troubling. The bottom line: Corporate consolidation and greed is ruining healthcare for practitioners and patients across the Hudson Valley. Now, other representatives are calling out that same greed and corruption from United, Optum’s parent company. I am encouraged by elected leaders at every level calling out these issues and the severe impact they have on families.
What I’m doing: After my community inquiry, I submitted every single piece of our data to the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Federal Trade Commission for further investigation. And I will push relentlessly for further action. I believe that when our Hudson Valley community stands up with one voice, anything is possible. However I am clear-eyed about the fact that the courts can move slowly, so I’m also actively evaluating every possible tool to push for legislation.
What you can do: If you live in the Hudson Valley, fill out this survey so we can continue gathering data. And if you don’t live in NY-18, call your member of Congress and encourage them to do an inquiry of their own. We need to get the word out, across the country, that we will not stand by while the largest healthcare company in the world drives down care quality and drives up costs.
New York
What I’m doing: Over the last few weeks, I have told you about how the cuts to food programs by the Department of Agriculture are already hurting families here in New York. And how, instead of doing right by New York families, Secretary Rollins went on FOX News to call me out directly and lie about the devastating impact these cuts will have. But the truth is that shipments covering millions of meals have already been canceled, and combined with the rising costs of goods and Trump’s tariffs, food banks are more strapped than ever. I have continued banging the drum on what this means for New York families, and I won’t stop using my voice to get these shipments restored.
What you can do: The administration is denying that these cuts are even happening, despite shipments to local food banks already being canceled. I have been using every platform available to me to amplify these cuts and highlight the facts, and I would encourage you to do the same by calling your representative or sharing information on how to best support your local food bank within your own network. Communities across the country are going to be feeling the squeeze as food banks that rely on this funding are forced to navigate Trump’s affordability crisis with less resources. I would urge you to look up your local food bank and see how you can best support them during this time. Food or monetary donations can make a big difference and could literally increase the number of families any given foodbank can serve.
Washington
Last week, I told you about Trump’s proposed budget for the federal government and how it screws over communities like the Hudson Valley to benefit Trump’s billionaire friends. I was and continue to be furious at how this administration seeks to gut critical resources and services, like Medicaid. This week has been a key week for compiling the budget package that the House will actually vote on.
What I’m doing: I have been keeping the priorities of the Hudson Valley front and center, which for many of my constituents means addressing the rising costs of housing. I hear it from folks every day: costs, especially housing costs, are still way too high. I’m pushing through the bureaucracy, cutting the red tape, and rising above the politics to build a more affordable Hudson Valley with every tool at my disposal. That’s why earlier this week, I introduced an amendment focused on lowering housing costs.
What you can do: This budget will impact everything from health care access to housing to our national security to ensuring the water we drink is clean. We need a lot of people pushing back on this, so I would encourage you to call your representatives, especially if you live in a district represented by a Republican, and make it clear that this budget is WRONG for your community. Let’s turn up the pressure and make sure this budget is dead on arrival.
Going on offense
I am continuing to use every platform available to me to call attention to what’s happening in Washington and the Hudson Valley. I will continue speaking out about what’s happening in Washington, the issues we’re seeing on the ground, and how you can stay involved and engaged.
Keep the faith, keep up the fight, and thank you for reading!
In Solidarity,
Pat
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