KINGSTON – Ulster County
officials are concerned about the potential negative impact on public
health if Washington repeals the Affordable Care Act championed by former
President Obama and replaces it with the Republican proposal promoted
by President Trump.
With that concern in mind, County Executive Michael Hein signed an executive order calling on Health and Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Carol Smith to draft a report on the public health and fiscal impacts of scrapping Obamacare.
“When we look at the situation, we are talking about a negative impact to our healthcare providers like hospitals, nursing homes and the like; we are talking about negative impact to the county budget,” Hein said. “We are also talking about an enormous negative impact to people, to the public health of the citizens of Ulster County, whether we are talking about women and children and seniors and those with disabilities, a whole host of individuals, we are talking about the potential for severe negative impact.”
Dr. Smith said over one million New Yorkers face “significant loss” of health care coverage under the current House of Representatives’ plan; over $4.5 billion would be shifted to state, local governments and hospitals; and $400 million in tax credits would be lost for New Yorkers to purchase health insurance.
Ulster County will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Next Tuesday at the county office building in Kingston for county residents to discuss how repeal of Obamacare would impact them.
