Senator Webb Champions Funding for Reproductive Healthcare and Affordable, Quality Healthcare for All in State Budget Proposal

(Binghamton, NY) Today, State Senator Lea Webb announced that the Senate Majority’s budget protects access to quality healthcare for all New Yorkers, rejecting harmful Medicaid cuts, expanding funding for hospitals, nursing homes, and community health providers, and protecting reproductive healthcare, ensuring that no one is left behind in their time of need.

 Said State Senator Lea Webb, “We are facing unprecedented federal threats and cuts to the programs and services we all need for our basic health care. The Senate’s One House budget meets this moment by rejecting cuts to Medicaid and by delivering funding to our hospitals, nursing homes, and community health providers. As the Chair of the Women’s Issues Committee, I am proud that we have put forward a strong budget that strengthens protections for reproductive health, addresses the maternal health and mortality crisis, and includes my legislation to make emergency contraception easily accessible on our public institutions of higher education.”  

Webb highlighted the following highlights from the Senate’s budget proposal: 

• 1.5 billion invested in healthcare, including $355 million for hospitals and $250 million for nursing homes
• Protects reproductive healthcare with an Increase in total funding for the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Program to $35 Million
• Increase Funding to Support the Community Doula Expansion Grant Program.
• Include proposals to Support Infertility Treatments and IVF
• Advances Language to establish training for healthcare practitioners throughout the state in providing abortion care
• Includes Senator Webb’s legislation to require CUNY and SUNY to install at least one vending machine offering emergency contraception at each school

The Senate Majority’s budget fully funds essential programs while maintaining fiscal responsibility, ensuring that New York is prepared for economic challenges ahead. With the passage of the Senate’s One-House Budget Resolution, negotiations will continue with the Assembly and Governor to finalize the 2025-26 Enacted Budget. The Senate remains committed to putting people first and ensuring a budget that reflects the values of all New Yorkers. 

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