Local Impact
How federal policy decisions affect Western New York and the Southern Tier
Local Impact: NY-23
How do Rep. Langworthy’s votes and policy positions affect his constituents?
This page aggregates documented impacts on Western New York and the Southern Tier communities from federal policy decisions.
Healthcare Crisis
Hospital Layoffs and Closures
ECMC (Erie County Medical Center) — January 29, 2026
- 150 employees laid off (3% of workforce)
- Management furloughs for one week
- Cause cited: “inadequate reimbursements from public and private payers, including Medicaid cuts”
Kaleida Health — 2025-2026
- Millard Fillmore Surgery Center closing (October 2025)
- Buffalo Therapy Services closing
- DeGraff Medical Park closing
- 60+ employees impacted
1199 SEIU “Code Red” Warning
- 8 Southern Tier hospitals at risk of closing
- 50,000 NY healthcare jobs threatened statewide
- Hundreds bused to Albany to protest federal cuts (January 12, 2026)
Connection to Langworthy’s Votes:
- Voted YES on OBBB (H.R. 1) which cut $911 billion from Medicaid over 10 years
- Voted NO on H.R. 6703 to restore ACA subsidies
Full fact-check: CEO Hearing on Premiums →
Premium Increases
Impact on NY-23 Residents (Sen. Gillibrand estimates):
| Household | Annual Premium Increase |
|---|---|
| Single person, Chautauqua County, $65K income | $1,252/year ($104/month) |
| Family of four, $130K income | $2,547/year ($212/month) |
| 60-year-old couple, $85K income | $22,600/year |
- 6,300+ NY-23 residents use ACA marketplace
- 22 million nationally lost enhanced subsidies December 31, 2025
- Average premium increase: 26% (30% in Healthcare.gov states)
- What enrollees pay: 114% average increase
Connection to Langworthy’s Votes:
- OBBB (H.R. 1) did NOT extend enhanced premium tax credits
- Voted NO on H.R. 6703 (ACA subsidy extension) on January 8, 2026
- Two weeks later: demanded insurers explain why premiums increased
Full fact-check: CEO Hearing on Premiums → Full fact-check: PTC Pivot →
Childcare and Family Services
HHS Funding Freeze — January 2026
Programs Frozen for New York:
- Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Social Services Block Grant (SSBG)
Langworthy’s Defense: Cited Minnesota fraud case to justify NY freeze — but Minnesota fraud involved a different program (state-run CCAP vs. federal Head Start).
Impact on NY-23 Families:
- Head Start programs serving working families
- Childcare assistance for low-income families
- No NY-specific fraud evidence cited
Full fact-check: Childcare Freeze →
Rural Communities
Farm Policy
Farm Bill Status:
- Written without Democratic input
- Failed in committee
- Langworthy blamed Democrats for failure
SNAP Impact:
- $295 billion less spent on food assistance over 10 years
- Work requirements would cause millions to lose access
- Langworthy claims “no SNAP cuts” despite reduced spending
Full fact-check: SNAP Cuts → Full fact-check: Farm Bill Victory →
Rural Hospital Access
Medicaid Cuts Impact:
- 1.3M+ dually eligible (Medicare + Medicaid) projected to lose Medicaid per CBO
- 8 Southern Tier hospitals at risk
- Rural hospitals depend heavily on Medicaid reimbursements
Langworthy’s Claim:
“Not a single person” among seniors and disabled will lose coverage
Verdict: MISLEADING — CBO projects 1.3M+ losses among dually eligible
Full fact-check: Medicaid Coverage Cuts →
Tax Policy
“No Tax on Tips/Overtime” — The Fine Print
Langworthy promotes these provisions as simple tax relief. Reality is more complex:
| Provision | What Langworthy Says | What the Law Actually Does |
|---|---|---|
| No Tax on Tips | Simple, universal | Capped at $25,000; phases out above $160K (single)/$320K (married) |
| No Tax on Overtime | Workers keep overtime | Requires FLSA coverage determination; employer reporting waived |
| Auto Loan Interest | Deduct car payments | Only “final assembly” US vehicles; phases out at $100K+ income |
Expert Assessment (AEI):
“They are much more complicated than what your ordinary middle-class household is used to dealing with.”
Full fact-check: PTC Pivot (includes tax complexity) →
Constituent Access
Town Halls
- Zero in-person town halls documented since January 2023
- Every constituent letter promises “My door is always open…”
- Telephone town halls only
Form Letter Responses
- 100% of documented responses are form letters
- Hidden tracking codes in all responses
- Responses often arrive after votes are cast
Related Fact-Checks by Local Impact
Browse fact-checks tagged with local impact:
All information sourced from official records, news coverage, and constituent submissions. See individual fact-checks for full citations.
Last updated: February 4, 2026