Morelle, Trillium Health Slam Trump-Backed Health Care Cuts

U.S. Rep. Joe Morelle on Monday condemned sweeping federal health care cuts signed into law by President Donald Trump, warning of their direct impact on Rochester’s most vulnerable residents.

Congressman Joe Morelle and Trillium Health CEO Jason Barnecut-Kearns held a press conference Monday to outline how they say Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" will impact the most vulnerable.

Speaking alongside leadership from Trillium Health, Morelle said the reconciliation package enacted last month would slash critical services, particularly for those who rely on Medicaid and community health centers.

“The people of Rochester deserve to know what Republicans decided to do with their health care — they gutted it to give tax breaks to billionaires,” said Morelle, a Democrat representing New York’s 25th Congressional District. “Despite these setbacks, organizations like Trillium Health continue doing the vital work of keeping our community safe and healthy.”

The package, signed by Trump on July 4, enacts $900 billion in Medicaid cuts over the next decade and is expected to strip health coverage from an estimated 15 million Americans, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The bill also eliminates funding for Planned Parenthood and removes nearly 3 million people from nutrition programs like SNAP, while providing more than $5 trillion in tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans.

Jason Barnecut-Kearns, president and CEO of Trillium Health, said the changes threaten the ability of community health centers to continue serving those in need.

“These federal cuts — particularly to Medicaid — will result in significant funding losses, increased administrative burdens, and leave many without health insurance,” Barnecut-Kearns said. “Now more than ever, we need common-sense solutions that protect access to affordable care. We’re grateful to Congressman Morelle for his unwavering support.”

The legislation passed along party lines, with Republican lawmakers backing the Trump-endorsed plan despite criticism from Democrats and health care advocates.

Click HERE to download a summary of the bill released by House Remocrats.