Faith leaders and health care workers from around the state argue inadequate funding for health care and bail changes proposed in Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget will help perpetuate a cycle of generational poverty.

Leaders of various religious backgrounds partnered with members of 1199SEIU, the nation's largest health workers union, in the Capitol on Wednesday to fight for more funding for health care as legislative leaders continue to negotiate the 2023-24 budget. 

Rabbi Matt Cutler, with the Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady and a representative with the Union for Reform Judaism, says a significant increase in Medicaid reimbursement funding is critical to ensure the poorest New Yorkers can access quality health care. Workers have rallied this session asking the Legislature to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates by 10% for hospitals and 20% for nursing homes, compared to the 5% in Hochul's executive budget.

"...Put aside the greed and the sense of self and really be selfless in our pursuit of creating a budget that cares for everybody equally," Cutler said. "I want to make sure the poorest people in our state and those in real economic need get the proper care they deserve."

Advocates on Wednesday also said other budget discussions will significantly impact low-income New Yorkers and disadvantaged communities, especially as legislative leaders mull changes to the state's controversial bail reform laws that continue to hold up negotiations. 

Many faith leaders stand firmly against the bail changes Hochul wants, like clarifying the law for judges about when they can set bail in serious or violent offenses, or how to evaluate the dangerousness of a person accused of a crime.

State Council of Churches board member Rev. Jim Ketcham stresses no data exists that shows a correlation between New York's bail reform policies and the increase in crime seen nationwide since the pandemic — including in other U.S. states without similar bail laws.

"The argument is based on fear — not fact — fear of rising crime," Ketcham said. "'Well, let's do this, that'll fix it.' No, you're not fixing anything. You're going to still be afraid."

Judges need to be better educated about the bail statute, as the current law provides judicial discretion, Ketcham continued, adding New York's bail reform changes operate as intended to keep poor people from languishing in jail before their trial. The retired American Baptist pastor said officials must consider the facts about bail reform to finish a budget that treats everyone equally.

"What was discussed concerning dangerousness to the accused, I can guarantee you that if I'm a judge and a person of a different color walks in the room, I am predisposed to seem them as dangerous because they are different," Ketcham said. "I've worked on racial issues for a long time, but that's the way our brains are wired — somebody who looks differently is a threat."

A spokesperson with Hochul's office stressed Hochul's proposed bail changes will give judges more discretion, especially with more serious crimes or repeat offenders, but will preserve the original intent of the law to make sure people aren't languishing in jail before their trial because they cannot afford to pay cash bail. 

The conversation about bail continues to dominate budget negotiations as they continue nearly two weeks past the April 1 deadline. Lawmakers will have to pass a third budget extender bill by late Monday afternoon to avoid a delay in thousands of state workers getting paid.

Meanwhile, health workers have fought hard with members of the Legislature for months for the next budget to include increased home care worker salaries, raising the minimum wage to $21.25 by 2027 followed by indexing and investing millions more in safety-net hospitals. The governor's budget cuts $700 million from those facilities.

Representatives with Hochul's office say the 5% increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals, nursing homes and assisted-living providers in her budget would be the largest rate increase in two decades.

"This transformational change to stabilize New York State’s healthcare system will result in a $425 million gross benefit to hospitals," according to the governor's office. "The budget also continues $984 million in state share funding for financially distressed hospitals."

Advocates also argue New York's estimated $8.5 billion surplus should not be committed to the state's reserves, or "rainy day" fund. In wake of the pandemic, it's raining now, they said, and are adamant that money belongs to taxpayers who cannot wait for better health care and services. 

The Senate's one-house budget proposal is closest to what health workers say the system needs, including a 10% increase for Medicaid reimbursement rates and $300 million more for financially distressed hospitals.

Sen. Lea Webb says the Senate's budget shows her colleagues stand firm on the additional funding for health care they'll fight for in the final budget to give workers and hospitals more equitable resources.

"In this budget and future budgets, we have to make equitable investments because we are dealing with the ramifications of years of underinvestments in these key issues," said Webb, a Democrat from Binghamton.