New York Governor Kathy Hochul has strongly condemned the federal government’s decision to slash more than $300 million in funding for public health, mental health, and addiction services in the state, warning that the move could have devastating consequences for millions of New Yorkers.

The cuts, announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will directly impact the New York State Department of Health, the Office of Addiction Supports and Services, and the Office of Mental Health—agencies that play a crucial role in addressing public health crises.

“These include funds that county health departments across New York are planning to use to fight disease and keep people safe,” Hochul stated.

“At a time when New York is facing an ongoing opioid epidemic, multiple confirmed cases of measles, and an ongoing mental health crisis, these cuts will be devastating.”

Governor Hochul placed the blame squarely on Congressional Republicans and the Department of Health and Human Services, accusing them of dismantling essential safety nets.

“There is no State in this country that has the financial resources to backfill the massive federal funding cuts proposed by HHS and Congressional Republicans,” Hochul declared.

“They are trying to rip apart the social safety net that lifts families out of poverty and gives everyone a shot at a middle-class life.”

Hochul emphasized that these cuts are not just numbers on a spreadsheet but will have real-life consequences for families and communities across New York.

Vowing to push back against the cuts, Hochul promised that her administration would take every possible step to protect the health and well-being of New Yorkers.

“For every attempt they make to withhold this funding, we will fight them tooth and nail,” she asserted. “I’ll do everything in my power to protect the health and well-being of New Yorkers.”

The funding reductions come at a time when New York is grappling with multiple health crises, including a rising opioid death toll, infectious disease outbreaks, and increasing demand for mental health services. Without federal support, state and local agencies may struggle to maintain existing programs.

Health experts and advocates have also expressed concern that these cuts could result in reduced access to addiction treatment, fewer mental health resources, and diminished public health preparedness.