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Forum Held Locally on Health Care Affordability Crisis

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December 15, 2025

By Rick Pezzullo—

With the open enrollment for health care deadline looming today (Dec. 15), a moderated panel forum with local advocates and policy experts who discussed the many legislative failures that have led to skyrocketing health care costs for New Yorkers of all income levels was held last week in Tarrytown.

The event, attended by about 30 individuals at Christ Episcopal Church, was led by Empire State Voices, a multi-year campaign dedicated to fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents.

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Co-sponsored by Citizen Action of New York, Communications Workers of America, 1199 SEIU, and Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, participants also explored the impact of expiring health care tax credits and potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

Key tax credits for households buying health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace are set to expire at the end of this year, significantly increasing monthly premium costs. Four more signatures are needed on the discharge petition to force a vote on a three-year extension of these credits. Congressman Mike Lawler, who represents the 17^th District, has so far refused to support the measure.
“Rather than working to reform the system and lower costs, Congressional Republicans have gone about dismantling and cutting the very programs that allow working families to access care,” said Dylan Wheeler, Regional Organizing Director for Empire State Voices. “Congressman Lawler himself has acknowledged the need to address this crisis of health care affordability that New Yorkers across his district are struggling under, yet he continues to do nothing to actually address the issue. There is only one plan on the table that could pass and extend these critical tax credits before they expire. If Rep. Lawler is serious about wanting to lower health care costs for his constituents, he needs to stop making excuses and help get the three-year extension across the finish line.”

It is estimated 23 million Americans have no health insurance, which amounts to one in 12 individuals.

“Thousands of people will die. Thousands of people will go bankrupt,” warned Matthew Record, Assistant Professor of American Politics and Public Policy at Molloy University. “It’s insanity. It’s horrible politics. We’re all worse off. That’s where we find ourselves.”

Dr. Reena Agarwal, a primary care physician from Briarcliff Manor, said “working in the (health care) system is as bad as it looks.”

“Before the Affordable Care Act, I watched patients put off preventative care because they just couldn’t afford the costs,” Dr. Agarwal said. “If these tax credits aren’t extended, constituents in Rep. Lawler’s district will go right back to not seeing their doctor or dropping their healthcare entirely. This would have devastating impacts on health outcomes across the Hudson Valley, as people get sicker and even die from entirely preventable causes. Something needs to be done and fast.”

A candlelight vigil is planned for today at 4 p.m. outside Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla to “mourn” the potential end of the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits.

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