Residents urge Chemung County Legislature to oppose proposed federal Medicaid cuts

At a Chemung County Legislature meeting (date not specified), residents used the public-comment period to urge legislators to adopt a full-body resolution opposing proposed federal cuts to Medicaid. Andy Petros, a taxpayer and resident of 1127 Pennsylvania Avenue in Southport, told the legislature that county governments in New York administer parts of Medicaid and urged lawmakers to speak up for constituents.

Petros said the legislature has declined repeated requests for such a resolution since March. "This body was not even able to do that," he said, adding that some legislators told residents they had no control over federal issues and that a resolution would be "just a piece of paper." He said residents expect elected leaders "to advocate for the community."

An earlier, unnamed speaker described family members who rely on Medicaid and said she had been advised not to work because benefits would be the same, and she urged the legislature to be responsive and make meeting materials and agendas easier to access on the county website. That speaker also asked that officials "put it in the newspaper" when the legislature explains reasons for its decisions.

No formal motion or vote on a resolution opposing federal Medicaid cuts is recorded in the meeting transcript. After public comment closed, the legislature moved to other business and proceeded with committee reports, combining and approving a package of resolutions, and roll-call votes on agenda items.

The comments made during public comment were directed at the full body; the transcript does not show a subsequent motion from the committee or a named legislator to introduce or schedule a resolution on Medicaid during this meeting.