Governor Kathy Hochul and U.S. Representative Pat Ryan have sounded the alarm over the Republican-backed “Big Ugly Bill,” warning of its sweeping consequences for New York’s most vulnerable communities.

According to state estimates, the legislation could strip nearly $13 billion annually from New York’s health care system, leaving 1.5 million residents uninsured and forcing hospitals to downsize or close. Cuts to Medicaid and the Essential Plan would destabilize coverage for over 2 million New Yorkers, including 730,000 lawfully present non-citizens.

The bill also imposes new burdens on the SNAP program, potentially eliminating benefits for over 300,000 households and shifting $1.4 billion in costs to state and local governments. Advocates warn this could deepen food insecurity and disrupt local economies, especially in rural areas.

“This is a triple-whammy,” said Rep. Ryan. “It guts health care and food programs, inflates costs, and rewards the ultra-rich—all at the expense of working families.”

Governor Hochul pledged to fight back: “I will never back down from protecting New Yorkers and the resources they need to support their families.”