Pictured here with host Jay Moran are guests Nora Suric, PhD, Health Foundation President; Bridget Bartolone, SNAPCAP of WNY Lead; and Joanne Haefner, MS, FNP, President and CEO of Neighborhood Health Center
On Monday, September 14, 2026, What’s Next? kicked off a new season of informational programming on Buffalo Toronto Public Media, an NPR affiliate. The topic of discussion was the impact of the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1), including the upcoming changes to the Medicaid program. Elizabeth Pancotti of Groundwork Collaborative, which is based in Washington, DC, offered a big-picture view of H.R.1’s impact.
The second half of the program showcased the perspectives of the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York and two of our community partners. Joining Nora Suric, PhD, President of the Health Foundation, were Bridget Bartolone, SNAPCAP of WNY (Safety Net Association of Primary Care Affiliate Providers) Lead; and Joanne Haefner, MS, FNP, President and CEO of Neighborhood Health Center.
The three shared insights into the challenges that people who are insured through Medicaid face, and how things will become even more complicated because of changes mandated by the H.R.1 budget reconciliation bill that was signed into law in July 2025. One change will be new work requirements for individuals enrolled in Medicaid who are ages 19 to 64.
“The vast majority of people we serve do work. They just can’t make ends meet on what they make.”
Joanne Haefner, Neighborhood Health Center
Listen to the entire broadcast.
To stay up to date with the latest developments regarding Medicaid, visit the NYSDOH website.
Read our blog post, How the Medicaid Cuts Will Affect All of Us – Health Foundation for Western & Central New York.
