Proposed federal budget cuts would impact thousands in region

May 23--County officials are watching closely to see how President Donald Trump's proposed budget impacts the thousands of local residents on Medicaid and food stamps.

According to the Associated Press, Trump's blueprint for the 2018 budget year includes a $193 billion cut from food stamps over the coming decade -- a reduction of more than 25 percent -- implemented by cutting back eligibility and imposing additional work requirements, according to information circulated by the White House.

The program presently serves about 42 million people nationwide.

Trump is also targeting the Medicaid health program that provides care to the poor and disabled, and nursing home care to millions of older people who could not otherwise afford it, according to the Associated Press.

In Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties, more than 164,000 people receive Medicaid services and nearly 50,000 people receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, better known as food stamps.

In Orange County, with a population of about 377,000, nearly 98,000 receive Medicaid services and more than 17,000 are on food stamps.

Joshua Potosek, Sullivan County manager, said New York counties help administer food stamps while the funds come from the federal goverment.

Medicaid funds are more complicated, with part of the funds coming from the state, part from the county and part from the federal government.

In Sullivan County, with a population of about 75,000, nearly 25,000 receive Medicaid benefits and about 12,700 are on food stamps.

That means if the federal government were to make cuts to Medicaid, the effect on counties would depend on how New York state deals with those changes.

But Potosek said the cuts, if implemented, would mean residents would be faced with tough decisions.

"Do I put food on the table or do I go to the doctor?" Potosek said.

In Ulster County, where the population is nearly 180,000 people, almost 41,000 people receive Medicaid benefits and almost 20,000 people receive food stamp benefits.

Ulster County Executive Mike Hein said he and his office will be closely watching the federal budget and seeing how congressional representatives react.

"I oppose anything that undermines our ability to help those in our community who are less fortunate," Hein said.

"What I am seeing in Washington are proposals that may very well harm some of our most vulnerable citizens, and I find that unconscionable."

jnani@th-record.com

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