As Federal Medicaid Cuts Loom, More than Two Thirds of Lower-Income New Yorkers Report They Won’t Be Able to Maintain Their Health Without Insurance
NEW YORK – 6/25/25 – As Congress considers sweeping cuts to Medicaid, a new survey from Public Health Solutions (PHS), the largest public health nonprofit serving New York City, reveals deep concerns among New Yorkers about their inability to attain basic healthcare services.
For New York City residents, the prospect of losing insurance and the associated increase in healthcare costs is, by far, the largest looming public health crisis facing the city. According to the survey, 71% of New Yorkers with a household income of less than $60,000 say they were unsure or would not be able to afford healthcare if they lost their insurance, including Medicaid, and 64% were unsure or did not think they would be able to maintain doctor visits. Lower-income New Yorkers identified losing their health insurance (32%), the cost of healthcare (21%), and Medicaid cuts (20%) as their biggest health concerns right now, all of which outpaced those most worried about another pandemic (8%).
At the same time, 75% of New Yorkers, regardless of income, fear that the state and local government, which would be required to shoulder more of the burden of Medicaid payments under the current proposed federal plan, will not be able to pay the difference, which would lead to 500,000-750,000 New York City residents losing their insurance.
“New Yorkers are bracing for a healthcare crisis,” said Lisa David, President and CEO of PHS. “The proposed federal cuts to Medicaid represent one of the most dangerous threats to our public health infrastructure in decades. If enacted, we will see hundreds of thousands of people lose health coverage, longer lines at hospital emergency rooms, fewer available healthcare providers, and ultimately more New Yorkers getting sick.”
Lower-income New Yorkers, who would be the most affected by these proposed changes, are understandably the most worried. 73% of New Yorkers with a household income of less than $60,000 per year were concerned about potential cuts to Medicaid, with 43% saying they are extremely concerned, 20% that they are somewhat concerned, and 11% that they are a little concerned.
Equally concerning for New Yorkers are the potential cuts to food support services like SNAP and WIC, with 57% of all the survey respondents expressing that they are either extremely or somewhat concerned. Among lower-income New Yorkers most likely to rely on these services, the percentage increased to 62%, with 41% of those respondents indicating extreme concern.
Other key findings from the survey include:
- When asked about the biggest impact of Medicaid cuts on New York, 29% of New York City residents identified the cost of healthcare increasing, 22% identified more people getting sick and dying, and 21% identified more people using the emergency room for healthcare.
- A notable share (43%) of all New Yorkers indicated they would use the Health Insurance Marketplace to find new health insurance if they lost their current coverage. However, the federal budget bill would make it more difficult for them to acquire marketplace plans.
The online survey, built with highly validated, permission-based respondents, was conducted in May 2025 in conjunction with Kantar and is based on responses from 1001 New York City residents.
About Public Health Solutions
Health disparities among New Yorkers are large, persistent, and increasing. Public Health Solutions exists to change that trajectory and support underserved New Yorkers and their families to achieve optimal health and build pathways to reach their potential. As the largest public health nonprofit serving New York City, we improve health outcomes and help communities thrive by providing direct services to low-income families, supporting community-based organizations through our long-standing public-private partnerships, and bridging the gap between healthcare and community services. Learn more at Public Health Solutions – Creating Healthier Communities in New York.