Speakers from human service agencies and programs around Otsego County painted a grim picture of the local impact of federal spending cuts at a forum the evening of Thursday, July 10.
The forum was moderated by Stephanie Bauer of the League of Women Voters and featured Tanya Shalor, CEO of Opportunities for Otsego; Maggie Johnson, executive director of the Community Cupboard of Edmeston; Dr. Diane Georgeson, health officer for the city of Oneonta; Carolyn Lewis, director of legislative affairs for the Bassett Healthcare Network; and Tamie Reed, director of the Otsego County Office for the Aging.
More than 50 people crowded into and around the Morris Firehouse for the nonpartisan Future of Community Services forum. The program was organized by a group of Otsego County citizens and advocates, including Sarai Halliday of Opportunities for Otsego, Andrea Hull of Morris, and Arlene Martin of New Lisbon.
The “Big Beautiful Bill Act” and its impact locally was the primary topic of the forum. The tax and spending bill, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, includes cuts on federal spending for programs such as Medicaid and food assistance.
Panelists described how vulnerable populations, including the elderly and people living in poverty, could fare worse under the new bill.
“Any federal cuts will diminish our capacity to serve families throughout the county,” said Tanya Shalor, chief executive officer of Opportunities for Otsego. “We are about 85% federal funded, so it’s a big cut and a deep cut.”
Shalor said she worried that the loss of federal funds would limit her agency’s ability to remain fully staffed, which would in turn impact its ability to deliver programs such as WIC, Head Start, housing assistance and support for victims of domestic violence.
The uncertainty of not knowing how, or when, the cuts might be felt posed a challenge of its own.
“Every day, something changes,” Shalor said. “Some new regulation comes out, then it gets rescinded, then there’s an executive order, then there’s a lawsuit, then it’s paused. It’s a nightmare for our organization and the clients that we serve.”
Johnson, who said she shared Shalor’s concern, said that the impacts of the cuts might be secondhand or thirdhand.
“What we anticipate seeing is an increase in people who need some extra food because now they have to figure out how to fill in their budget,” she said. “If I have to pay for all of my medicine, I’m not going to be able to pay for all the food I need. So we’re anticipating an increase of neighbors that are going to need our help.”
Lewis said that while Bassett remains committed to ensuring that it can continue to serve the community, more than a quarter of the health care network’s revenue comes from Medicaid — funding which may now be in jeopardy.
Lewis and Reed said that while many Otsego County residents may still be eligible to receive health insurance through the Medicaid program, new work and recertification requirements may create hurdles for some individuals.
Panelists urged those in the audience to advocate for their communities and help their neighbors.
“I advocate almost every day,” Shalor said. “They know my name, they will pick up the phone because if they don’t, I will call back. I encourage my staff to do it, I encourage my clients, and I encourage you to do it. Get in everybody’s ear that will listen. Please reach out. Not once, not twice. Ten times, 20 times, 50 times. It really, really makes a difference.
Organizer Anna Niedzielski of New Lisbon closed out the meeting to thunderous applause as she closed out the meeting with Margaret Mead’s famous quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”