Medicaid cuts impact concerning for Long Islanders

Reynolds CEO of the Family and Children’s Association Long Island. a non-sectarian non-profit organization that provides assistance and servcies to Long Island’s most vulnerables residents with such as substance abuse help, youth services and mental health. 

“We really wanted to make sure that people know about the really devastating impact, the big, not beautiful bill, is going to have on our community, not just those in need, but all across our community, the threat to health insurance. said Gillen, who also met with staff and clients. “So many people, 1.5 million New Yorkers, are going to lose their health insurance.”

THRIVE Nassau, started in 2019 by Family and Children’s Association provides a safe and supportive environment for their patients' recovery paths from addictions such as alcohol, drugs and gambling. THRIVE  provides interactive educational programs, peer-based support and more. Concerns rise as programs similar to THRIVE are now at risk of losing their funding. THRIVE being state-funded will not be immediately impacted, but others potentially will.

At a time where THRIVE and other similar programs began to see hope for the future, Reynolds said it was taken away by political changes in the country’s capital. “We are heartened by the Long Island delegation’s commitment to fight against these potential cuts to make sure that the voices of people who were impacted by substance use disorder are amplified, and that the potential consequences associated with this are well known, and we're going to continue to do that as well,” he said.

Gillen said she is currently fighting to ensure that Long Islanders who need Medicaid can retain their coverage. Despite THRIVE currently under funding by the state. Medicaid Patients are still at risk of losing this necessary treatment as a result of potentially losing their health insurance. 

There was a $7 million clinic project being developed for the Westbury community by Family and Children’s Association Long Island WHERE? which would have provided an integrated clinic with support for substance use, mental healthcare and some primary care as well. The future for Medicaid coverage and federal grants for next year and 2027 is currently unclear and the project was canceled