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GILLIBRAND, SCHUMER, WYDEN, DUCKWORTH, COLLEAGUES

PRESS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER THREATS TO CUT MEDICAID FUNDING TO NEW YORK STATE

Withholding hundreds of millions in Medicaid funding will jeopardize New Yorkers’ access to essential care and services

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee; Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Democratic Leader; Ron Wyden (D-OR), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee; and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led Senate Democratic colleagues in demanding an immediate end to the Trump administration’s threats to cut Medicaid funding in New York, California, Maine, and other states led by Democratic governors.

In a new letter to the White House, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the senators called out arbitrary investigations and cuts to Medicaid programs driven by unfounded claims of fraud. 

“The Trump administration’s threats are a betrayal of the millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid,” said Senator Gillibrand. “President Trump should be focused on bringing down costs for American families, not playing political games with the benefits that so many New Yorkers rely on to get care. This is unacceptable, and I will do everything in my power to ensure funding is protected.”

In addition to Senators Gillibrand, Schumer, Wyden, and Duckworth, the letter was signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

“Let us be clear: you are not going after the real fraudsters,” the senators wrote. “Instead, under the guise of ‘program integrity,’ you are cutting off vital funding for services that seniors, people with disabilities, and children rely on to survive and thrive in their communities.”

The senators continued, “Your decision to arbitrarily withhold massive amounts of federal matching funds is a direct attack on older Americans, children, and adults with disabilities, and the workers who deliver this essential home-based care.”

Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) allow older adults and people with disabilities to receive services in their home and communities. This is a lifeline that lets these populations live and age with dignity in the setting of their choice. Cuts to Medicaid HCBS would cause states to halt payments and scale back programs, forcing Americans who need long-term support into more costly and restrictive institutions, like nursing homes, and shutting down home care agencies and independent care workers.

The full text of the letter can be found here or below.

Dear President Trump, Vice President Vance, Secretary Kennedy, and Administrator Oz:

We write to you today on behalf of the millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid to live safely and independently in their communities. We demand an immediate end to the administration’s politicized crusade against states like Minnesota, California, Maine, New York, and other states led by Democratic governors.

Let us be clear: you are not going after the real fraudsters. Instead, under the guise of “program integrity,” you are cutting off vital funding for services that seniors, people with disabilities, and children rely on to survive and thrive in their communities. This summer, you and Congressional Republicans enacted the largest Medicaid cuts in history. Your latest campaign to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars from blue states is a thinly veiled attempt to pull the wool over Americans’ eyes and shift the blame for your catastrophic cuts onto Governors.

Your sudden “crusade against fraud” is insulting to anyone paying attention to your actual record. If this administration actually cared about reducing fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars, why did you fire at least 15 independent Inspectors General during your very first week in office? There is no acceptable fraud, nor should Congress or the Administration tolerate any wasteful spending of taxpayer funding. Fraud against Medicaid programs has occurred in every state—both red and blue—and robust processes, including Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs), already exist to identify and address it. However, if program integrity is truly the goal, why is the administration pardoning convicted fraudsters? Instead of policing corruption, you are weaponizing the federal government against seniors, people with disabilities, and hardworking families.

The administration is falsely maligning Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)—the very services that keep people out of institutions—as inherently fraudulent. Your characterization of spending growth in personal care and HCBS as evidence of program integrity risk is senseless. Growth in HCBS means that states have successfully implemented the federal mandate to shift away from institutional care toward community-based care. This is a success story, not a scandal. This growth is not evidence of weak oversight; it is the predictable, intended, and celebrated result of decades-long federal and state rebalancing policies that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) itself designed and promoted.

Your decision to arbitrarily withhold massive amounts of federal matching funds is a direct attack on older Americans, children and adults with disabilities, and the workers who deliver this essential home-based care. Funding freezes force states to halt payments and scale back programs. Without home care, Americans who need long-term services will be forced into nursing homes and institutions—a devastating rollback of civil rights that will ultimately cost taxpayers more. Furthermore, home care agencies and independent care workers, who already operate on razor-thin margins while following the law, will be forced to shut their doors.

Rather than vilify children with disabilities and seniors aging at home, Democrats have consistently proposed solutions to root out actual wasteful spending. While you fired the very watchdogs responsible for prosecuting fraud, Democrats have proposed doubling down on anti-fraud programs that return up to $11 for every $1 spent. In 2021, without a single Republican vote, Democrats secured nearly $40 billion in Medicaid support to expand access to home-based care, boost workforce recruitment amid dire shortages, and increase wages for workers.

Meanwhile, Republican cuts to Medicaid are already denying services to families, like capping occupational, speech, and physical therapy visits. These cuts harm Americans in communities all across the country. For example, Theresa and her sister Nellie, now in their 60s, were born with muscular dystrophy that weakened their muscles over time and are now both wheelchair dependent.

Both rely on personal care services provided through California’s HCBS program, called the In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program for their daily activities, including getting in and out of bed, dressing, showering, and preparing food. Since they’ve started receiving care at home, both Theresa and Nellie have been able to start working. Their caregiving attendant helps them get ready every morning, including helping Nellie get to public transportation that takes her to her job. She then assists Theresa in settling into her home office where she can get onto her morning Zoom meetings.

In Teresa’s words: “I don’t think I could be on my own without IHSS. I wouldn’t be safe at all and I don’t know how long I would last without an injury. And I wouldn’t be able to work. I would not be able to get ready for the day, or to eat, or to go to in-person work events. Because IHSS allows me to work, I don’t depend on SSI anymore and our life is decent. We don’t have a lot but we have enough–we have a cat, bird feeders, have a decent living room that’s wheelchair accessible, a little bit of furniture. We have the basics, everything we need to be happy.”

Just like Theresa and Nellie, Medicaid HCBS is a lifeline for Patty and Katina. Patty from Tigard, Oregon, left her career as a therapist to become a Personal Support Worker (PSW) so she could care for her adult daughter, Katina, who has Down Syndrome, and requires 24/7 support for her safety.

Patty becoming a PSW after Katina graduated from high school not only allowed Katina to live in her community but has had an enormous impact on the family’s financial stability. Prior to becoming a PSW, Patty relied on social security disability payments as the family’s sole source of income, and they were barely able to make ends meet. At one point, the family went into foreclosure and almost lost their home.

Becoming a PSW has meant that not only does Katina have full-time care that allows her to live as an adult in her community, but the family has become financially secure enough to not have to rely on Social Security payments to live. Patty worries that Medicaid cuts will mean that she will no longer be able to be paid to be Katina’s caregiver. This would force their family into financial ruin and Katina into a facility, which is much more expensive and not what either she or Katina want.

For millions, Medicaid HCBS prevents more costly and restrictive care in residential facilities. Jennifer from Harrison, NY has a young adult son, Philip, who has an intellectual disability and autism. In her words – “He is 24 and is living a fulfilling life due to the support he receives from Medicaid HCBS. Philip has received job training in the community, job coaching in the community, participates in the local YMCA, local riding programs, recreation programs and a day program. He would likely be doing none of these things if it weren’t for Medicaid HCBS. He would be sitting in the house alone. My husband and I both work full time. His siblings are all either in college or working and living on their own, Philip would be sitting in the house staring at the walls. That would dissolve into depression and accompanying poor behavioral control. We’ve been there before and we don’t want to go back to those days in and out of the hospitals. Now Philip has a full life. He has friends, a community, a social life, and he is working towards a work life. He has all of this because of Medicaid HCBS.”

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Click here to view this email in your browser.en Español

As of January 4, 2026, Bee-Line officially adopted the OMNY fare payment system.  What does OMNY do? With OMNY, riders can simply tap and pay using a contactless credit or debit card, a digital wallet, or an OMNY card. Are MetroCards and coins still accepted? As of December 31, 2025, MetroCard sales have ended, and cards can no longer be refilled. Unexpired MetroCards will still be accepted into summer 2026. And don’t worry—cash payments will continue to be accepted on the Bee-Line even after MetroCards are phased out. In fact, coming later in 2026, there will be a new option to pay with dollar bills! How do I transfer my MetroCard balance to an OMNY card? You can transfer your MetroCard balance to OMNY in person at the MTA’s Mobile Sales Van when it visits Westchester. Or, if you visit New York City you can utilize the MTA Customer Service Centers. How do transfers work? OMNY offers free transfers between buses and subways (and vice versa) within a two-hour window when you use the same contactless card, phone, or OMNY card. Just tap again for the second ride to get the credit. You also get a fare cap, earning a free ride after 12 paid trips in 7 days, just like the 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard, without upfront cost. Just remember to use the exact same payment method for all taps in your journey to ensure you get the transfer. Please note that transfers are still occurring even though you do not see this on the OMNY screen. Free transfers and fare cap are excluded from the BxM4C. Can I use OMNY for Bee-Line ParaTransit services? At this time, OMNY is only accepted on the Bee-Line’s fixed route bus system. What is an OMNY account? An OMNY account gives you free, secure online access to self-service tools. You can check your trip and charge history, track progress toward the 7-day fare cap, reload your card, check your OMNY card balance, manage your travel cards and payment methods, and get support from customer service. While registration isn’t required, it unlocks helpful features—and new benefits are added regularly. Click here to register or call OMNY Customer Service at 877-789-6669 for help. Where can I find more information? OMNY Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the MTA’s website.

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WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK, WITH “BULL” ALLEN,THE VOICE OF BASEBALL PAST. MARCH 23, 2026:

 

Hello there, everybody, this is “Bull” Allen from the mezzanine press box in the old big ball park 161st Street and River Avenue in  “Da Bronx” where the grounds crews are working overtime preparing for next week’s Yankee Opening Day.

I am joining you for a review of what’s new in baseball.

Old-timers like me used to say it’s a brand-new season, but there is something very different  now.

Every new season produces a brand-new ballgame because players managers, umpires have to adjust to new rules making this 2026 season different from any other.

For 73 years the rule that fans never seemed to understand was the infield fly rule.

I used to when an arbiter called infield fly by pointing their finger high in the air on an infield pop with runners on and less than two out go into an explanation of the rule for fans listening or watching.

I’d say into the WPIX mike, “And it’s a high pop, and the infield fly rule is called,”  and go into an explanation of rule. Baseball rules had not changed for almost 60 years until the Designated Hitter rule was entered into in 1973 by the American League.

Now, friends, as my colleague, the Old Redhead, Red Barber would say, it is literally “a brand-new ball game” every year.

Enter “Dr. Frankenstein”

The Commissioner of Baseball, Rob Manfred  the “Dr. Frankenstein” of Baseball Commissioners”  is recreating the game to his own vision in the name of speeding up the game which of course it has not done last year the average game was 3 minutes longer. He is playing God.

This season the mad baseball scientist Mr. Manfred has tinkered with the game again.

To prepare you for the major league opener and the Frankensteinian variances on the new rules, Let me take you through the new Manfred effects:

First, the pitching clock set up has not changed. It is still 20 seconds to pitch and the batter has to be locked cocked and loaded in the batter’s box within 9 seconds.  The position of infielders in the infield on either side of second base and outfielders can only shade to the alleys. (left center and right center.

Now heads up, baseball fans,  Here come Dr. Frankenstein’s changes of pace this year:

 

THE ROBO UMPIRE: The new  Ball Strike System Allow ball strike challenges.

Major League Baseball describes its new ball strike calling system:

“The ABS Challenge System monitors the exact location of each pitch, relative to the specific batter’s zone. Players can request a challenge of a ball or strike call they feel the umpire got wrong, and, when they do, a graphic displaying the result is then transmitted over a 5G network from T-Mobile’s Advanced Network Solutions and nearly instantaneously shown to those in attendance via the videoboard and to home viewers via the broadcast.”

Each team starts the game with only two challenges,

 

If the homeplate umpire’s call is upheld, the team loses one challenge. If the ump is overruled by Robo Ump the team retains the challenge. though it will retain a challenge if successful.

 

If a  team is out of challenges at the start of an extra inning, it will gain an additional challenge after that inning.

Who gets to call a challenge?

Not the managers coaches, Only a batter, a pitcher or the catcher.

 

How do they call it and when?

The call has to be challenged as soon as the ump calls it by batter, pitcher or catcher by tapping their cap. The batter pitcher or catcher cannot lollygag and at insistence of his teammates in the dugout or manager then call the challenge late.

Only the pitcher, batter or catcher can call it instantly after the offending pitch. Going to be some arguments on that.

 

The official signal is tapping cap or helmet.

 

. Players are “encouraged” to vocalize their intent to challenge,

 

ABS challenges will not be permitted following replay reviews or when a position player is pitching.

 

Personally the major league baseball organization is insulting their umpires by putting in this system. Are they admitting the umpires last year were not consistent? I know there were a consistent trend in more ball and strike arguments and  ejections last year than I can ever recall.

 

It is my opinion the league has hired a number of new umpires who have trained using such new devices as the pitch clock and no shift rules as well as the ballstrike system. This is why there are so many arguments, in my opinion.

 

Possible effects of the ABS system?

 

With only 2 challenges per team,  you can almost bet that they will be saved to the “Innings of Decision” the 8ths and 9ths .

 

Be prepared for 2 challenges  offense and defense in the 1 run innings or where the score is tied with possible 2 more in the 10^th inning.

The effect of this long ninths and long tenth innings adding easily a half hour to the length of the game.

 

Using challenges early to “train” the umpire behind the plate is a waste of a strategic weapon. Bases loaded the 10^th and the count is 3-2, you get called out on strike but it is close, if the pitch is close challenge and a run is walked in if you win the challenge. This is a fundamental change in the game you are creating a 4^th strike and you’re out. No fan likes to see a run walked in.

 

Pitchers will challenge a third strike they think was right in there on the outside corner. And the Robo cop calls it a strike. That is going to create a real problem…particularly in the playoffs and World Series.

 

How will it affect the hitter?  He will either swing at the first pitch if it is a meatball or fastball. Force the pitcher to pitch to him for two pitches and be prepared to swing on the strike 3 pitch because it’s RBI situation;

 

The catcher is another factor. He could challenge for his pitcher if the umpire is inconsistent and squeezing his pitcher the whole game.

 

Also how will the Robo Umpire be set. It supposedly will adjust the strike zone from the height of the batter

 

Catchers already are being bomparded with strike zone charts on each batter indicating how the pitch selection should be varied from batter to the next.

 

Sign Stealing by Coaches in the coaches box

 

 

Base coaches on first and third will now be required to stay within designated box. From MLB.com:

“Umpires will be instructed to ensure base coaches are within the parameters of the box while the pitcher is on the rubber. …The base coach positioning guidance is MLB’s answer to an increasingly prevalent trend in which coaches would move out of their designated boxes to get better angles to steal signs by reading pitchers’ grips.”

 

 

Those shufflin’ coaches will be warned once. But can be ejected for continuing incursions,

 

Created “Obstructions” and Interfence Enforcement

 

Maruading Base runners can no longer create  obstructiom.  They cannot initiate  “contact” with infielders in the baseline “with the intent to draw an obstruction meanwhile, will be prohibited from initiating contact with infielders “with the intent to draw an obstruction call.”

 

Base runners who violate the rule will be called out. All other base runners will return to their previous bases.

 

My observation is this will also eliminate attempting to break up double plays. This was very evident in the seventh game of the World Series. Had the Tigers broken up one double play they would have won the World Series.

 

There, got that fans?

 

Well on Wednesday, drop down into you easy chair and catch the brand new ball game.

 

I will be particularly interested in Yankee hitters dealing with the Robo Ump. They were nortorious for striking out in the clutch. They could lead the league in challenges of balls and strikes this year.

 

Play Ball!