02/03/2026
News12 Westchester Safety Net Health Care Provider CEO, Judith Watson, Details Community Health Centers want full investment in state budget.
Community Health Centers want full investment in state budget Judith Watson, the CEO of the Westchester location, says they provide crucial medical care to about 2.5 million people, every year.
Community Health Centers around the state are hosting events to send a message to the governor.
Money is tight at many Community Health Centers in New York.
Judith Watson, the CEO of the Westchester location, says they provide crucial medical care to about 2.5 million people, every year.
"We, as federally qualified health centers, are looking at a $300 million cut in Medicaid," Watson says.
Watson says money could be even tighter if the state doesn't come through with promised funding.
"There are funding cuts to the health center. We have concerns that there was funding that was promised previously that is not included in the budget," Watson says.
That's why Watson and other care advocates are urging the governor to fully invest in these centers across the state. Without it, Watson says major changes could occur.
"These cuts will result in us having to lay-off staff... specifically, physicians, dentists, internists," Watson says.
The professionals are people who uninsured patients, like Annett Marrie Barrett, say they rely on for care.
"In January, the first week on January, I had a health scare. The cost for all of the services I explored were exorbitant, out of pocket," Barrett says.
Barrett says there shouldn't be any debate when it comes to keeping communities healthy.
"If there's anything else that federal and local government should be willing to support, it's the right to have health care," Barrett says.
Hochul's administration hasn't responded to News 12 about this inquiry.
Source: https://westchester.news12.com/community-health-centers-want-full-investment-in-state-budget
