TOP STORIES

Calling for a cure: Gies visits Dunkirk to speak on healthcare

Gies visits Dunkirk to speak on healthcare

Aaron Gies has traveled throughout Western New York on the campaign trail, one of the most prominent issues he has heard from constituents is concerning healthcare. Monday morning, Gies visited Dunkirk to meet with healthcare workers and hear their concerns firsthand.

Gies is the Democratic Candidate for Congress in New York's 23rd Congressional District. He is opposing incumbent Nick Langworthy, a Republican. Gies held a press conference outside of Dunkirk Rehabilitation & Nursing Center to speak on access to healthcare in rural western New York after more than $1.8 trillion in healthcare cuts approved by the Trump administration last year.

Gies said Monday, "It's not just statistics that we're concerned about today, it's the stories of healthcare workers."

Gies spoke at the podium along with three members of the healthcare system on the front lines. First to speak was Rebecca Ramirez, a licensed practical nurse employed in Dunkirk for roughly 10 years. Ramirez was followed by Lindsey Mead, a licensed practical nurse employed in Dunkirk for approximately four years, and Cheryl Marino, an Administrative Organizer at 1199SEIU representing rural healthcare workers.

"We're all pretty devastated and worried about the budget cuts," Mead said. "We've been chronically underfunded for quite some time."

Ramirez said that budget cuts impact nursing homes' ability to care for their residents. "We take a lot of pride and joy as caregivers," Ramirez said. She added that caregivers' own wages are impacted by the cuts.

Gies and the healthcare workers stood alongside union members of 1199SEIU, with a poster highlighting 14 healthcare facilities across the 23rd Congressional District that have been severely impacted by federal cuts to healthcare, including eight facilities that have recently closed. Among those eight facilities is Absolut Care of Westfield Nursing Home, which sent several of its own patients to Dunkirk Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.

Ramirez said it has been "devastating" for the patients to be uprooted from their home in Westfield to move to Dunkirk. Mead highlighted how challenging it is for patients who lost their support system in switching caregivers upon the closure of the Westfield facility.

"Being so rural, there aren't many facilities in the area. We don't want to see our residents displaced. We don't want to lose our jobs," Ramirez said.

Marino stated that Medicaid accounts for roughly 58% of revenue for healthcare facilities across the region. Significant cuts to Medicaid puts many facilities at risk. "Healthcare is not a luxury, nor is nursing home care. It is needed so that people can live and thrive in their communities," Marino said.

Gies highlighted statistics that showed that New York State was the second hardest hit state in the nation by the federal healthcare cuts, and throughout the state, the 23rd district was the most impacted of all. Five nursing homes were closed in the past year and 28 pharmacies have closed since 2023.

"Healthcare workers deserve to make a decent living, support their families, and retire with dignity," Gies said. "These workers are motivated by more than pay and benefits. They come to this field with a desire to heal, a desire to care. They are motivated by love, and it shows in the care they give every day."

Marino called on residents to vote for candidates this election season that support rural healthcare. Gies believes he fits that bill, and the 1199SEIU representing rural healthcare workers agrees. Gies received the union's endorsement for the congressional seat over Langworthy.

"We can build a system based on Medicare for all. A system that is designed for health instead of profit. A system that is both cheaper and better. A system that covers rural areas because the health of rural people matters too," Gies said. "... On Nov. 3, vote for your healthcare. Vote for thriving communities with functional medical systems. Vote for the common good in New York 23."

For more information about Aaron Gies, visit aaronforny23.com.