Members of SEIU 1199 gathered in New York’s 17th Congressional district Wednesday to protest proposed cuts to Medicaid.

The House GOP unveiled the bill that would institute President Donald Trump’s policy priorities, including getting rid of what they labeled "waste, fraud, and abuse" to Medicaid to the tune of nearly $900 billion.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that nearly 8 million Americans would lose health insurance under this proposal.

Members of SEIU say that this would overburden already overworked hospital staff and lead to worse health outcomes. They’re calling on their representative in Congress, Republican Mike Lawler, to oppose these cuts.

In a statement, Lawler's team said, "The 'fight to save taxpayer-funded welfare benefits for illegal immigrants' protest in Peekskill is just another paid event orchestrated by SEIU1199, the grassroots organizing arm of the New York State Democrats ... Rep. Lawler has made it clear that he does not support cutting Medicaid for eligible recipients."

Respiratory therapist Charlotte Savoury, a Lawler voter, says the bill is very disappointing.

“He already knows how bad we're suffering," she said. "He saw it all. You know, the governor did. So this is very disappointing. So I really do hope he hears us and understands how important this is.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson claims these are not cuts to Medicaid but would expand work requirements for those receiving it, up to 64 years old, and require 80 hours per month of work, service, or education for single adults.