Op-Ed | LoHud
By Mike Lawler
Regarding “Republicans in Congress — like NY’s Mike Lawler — think Medicaid doesn’t matter,” lohud.com, April 10:
There are several important things readers of this opinion page need to know regarding the dishonest op-ed that ran here recently lying about my position on Medicaid, among other things.
First, consider the source of these attacks and their motives for lying about me. There were two co-authors of the piece: One is the leader of a radical far-left organization that supports extreme policies like mass release of prisoners (including violent ones), and the other is an avowed socialist who recently said she was “excited” about a candidate for Mayor of New York City who wants to defund the police. Both of them support the absurd sanctuary state and city policies that have turned New York into a beacon for illegal immigration and rising crime.
Now, onto the substance of their false attacks. Let me be crystal clear: I have consistently lived up to my pledge never to cut Medicare or Social Security. In fact, last Congress, I helped champion passage of the Social Security Fairness Act to end the unfair reduction of benefits for millions of Americans, including teachers and police officers. Now, they are collecting more of their hard-earned money to help with their retirement.
Likewise, I will never cast a vote that takes Medicaid away from eligible recipients who rely on this vital program, such as seniors, children, the intellectually and developmentally disabled, single mothers and families facing tough times. Rather, my commitment has always been to strengthen these programs by cracking down on scam artists exploiting them at taxpayer expense.
This isn’t just a political position; it’s deeply personal to me. My father battled cancer and several other health issues before passing away at age 54. Along the way, he and my mother depended on Social Security Disability to make ends meet and live with dignity. I know firsthand how these programs are lifelines for families in need. That’s why reading accusations — from two people I’ve never met — claiming, without any evidence, that I am “salivating to gut funding” for healthcare is so offensive. I am all for a good debate, but I will not sit silently by and allow people to lie without pushing back.
So, why the dishonest attacks and disregard for the truth? Simple — fringe elements have hijacked and radicalized the Democratic Party. These aren’t disciples of President John F. Kennedy or even my current constituent, President Bill Clinton. Instead, they are members of extremist groups like Indivisible Rockland and others who care more about the rights of violent criminals, gang members and illegal immigrants than they do working families and retirees in the Hudson Valley and beyond. If you work hard and play by the rules, you’re the bad guy — and your punishment is to sit down, shut up and pay more taxes to fund a bloated, corrupt government that creates dependence instead of opportunityand favors endless government handouts to lawbreakers instead of a compassionate hand-up to good people in need.
Consider the facts. A 2024 Empire Center for Public Policy study revealed that as many as three million people are collecting Medicaid in New York State despite potentially being ineligible due to incomes that are higher than the eligibility limit — costing taxpayers of up to $20 billion annually. Wouldn’t that money be better spent supporting low-income seniors, single mothers, the I/DD community and children instead of padding a corrupt system? I think so.
Worse, New York has spent billions on Medicaid for undocumented migrants. That’s not sustainable, and it’s not fair to American citizens, especially those facing tough times, but who are too proud and honorable to scam the system themselves. These are the men and women we must prioritize. These are the men and women who deserve our compassion. These are the men and women I am fighting for in Congress.
That’s why I am advocating for common-sense reforms like work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, shifting eligibility verification to a quarterly review from the current annual review system, and ensuring benefits don’t go to ineligible recipients, including illegal immigrants. These steps aren’t about denying care to anybody. To the contrary, it is about directing resources to those who need it most.
The broader fiscal picture demands action, too. As I wrote in the New York Post on March 3, the federal government is projected to spend over $86 trillion in the next decade, with our national debt already topping $36 trillion, and expected to rise to $59 trillion. This trajectory risks collapsing Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security and will leave future generations without support. If we are to keep the sacred promises made to the most vulnerable among us, we must restore fiscal responsibility.
I urge New Yorkers to reject the lies and smears pushed by extremists — including my growing list of potential 2026 opponents — who care more about keeping people in poverty and exploiting them to advance their own radical political agenda. We can — and must — balance fiscal discipline with our social obligation to ensure these programs remain solvent long into the future. That is the path forward and I am committed to working with commonsense Democrats and Republicans to get it done.
Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican, represents New York’s 17th Congressional District.
