THE WESTCHESTER BRIEF
Monday, April 13, 2026
450,000 New Yorkers are about to lose free health insurance. The deadline is July 1.

On July 1, 450,000 New Yorkers will lose free health insurance. That's not a projection or a worst-case scenario. That's what the Trump administration's elimination of federal funding for New York's Essential Plan means, starting in less than three months.

Here's who we're talking about: teachers' aides, home health workers, small business owners, nurses' assistants. People with jobs. They earn between $32,000 and $40,000 as individuals, or $54,000 to $68,000 for a family of three. They earned enough to lose Medicaid but not enough to afford market-rate health insurance.

The Essential Plan gave them comprehensive coverage for free or next to nothing. When it ends, they'll be told they can enroll in marketplace plans. What the notices don't say is that those plans come with premiums of $200–$400 per month, deductibles of $3,000–$6,000, and out-of-pocket maximums beyond $7,000.

For some, this means choosing between healthcare and rent. For others, it means going uninsured. And for Westchester's hospitals and community health centers that serve low-income populations, it means lost revenue, budget cuts, staff layoffs, and potentially closures.

The state legislature has introduced bills to extend the Essential Plan and cover this gap. But there's been no vote. No timeline. Governor Hochul's executive budget set aside $2 billion as a contingency, but contingencies aren't solutions.

Tens of thousands of Westchester residents are about to receive notices in the mail. The notices tell them their free coverage ends. They don't tell them what comes next is going to be really hard.

Why it matters: Safety net hospitals in Yonkers, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, and Peekskill are already stretched thin. Losing 450,000 covered patients statewide means lost revenue, staff cuts, and reduced access across the county.

Listen to the full story on today's episode of The Westchester Brief.

County Budget Gap Hits $197.7M
The Westchester County Legislature is facing a budget shortfall that requires cutting 180 positions and raising taxes 3.7% for the first time in 7 years. Your county tax bill is going up.

SALT Cap Debate Heating Up
The federal SALT cap currently sits at $40,400 for state and local tax deductions. Rep. Nick LaLota is pushing Congress to extend relief before the cap reverts to just $10,000 in 2030. If Congress doesn't act, your deductions could get cut in half.

New Employment Law Takes Effect April 18
Employers can no longer use consumer credit history as a hiring factor. If you apply for a job and get rejected, they can't point to an old debt or credit problem. That's a significant win for working people trying to get ahead.

Senior STAR Tax Benefits Auto-Updating
New York is beginning automatic notifications to eligible seniors about upgrades to STAR property tax exemptions starting in 2026. If you're over 65 and own your home, watch your mail for details.

How is the cost of living affecting your ability to stay in Westchester County? Hit reply and let us know. We read every response.

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