Bronx Safety-Net Alliance Thanks Governor Hochul for Medicaid Hardship Exemption for Bronx County

Coalition of Bronx community health centers, hospitals, health plans, and community organizations called for the exemption, which will help protect coverage for an estimated 200,000 Bronx residents.

THE BRONX, N.Y., Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bronx Safety-Net Alliance (BSNA), a coalition of community health centers, hospitals, health plans, and community-based organizations serving the Bronx, today thanked Governor Kathy Hochul and her administration following the State's announcement that Bronx County will be exempt from the Medicaid work requirements under H.R. 1.

The exemption, which the Alliance formally urged the State to pursue, will help protect coverage for an estimated 200,000 Bronx residents who are working, seeking work, or experiencing temporary hardship, so that paperwork does not become a barrier to the health care they need.

"The Bronx Safety-Net Alliance commends the Hochul administration for taking decisive action to preserve access to health care for hundreds of thousands of Bronx residents because of significant administrative hurdles required by H.R. 1," the Alliance said in a statement.

"This is a significant moment for the Bronx," said Paloma Izquierdo-Hernandez, President and CEO of Urban Health Plan, which convened the Alliance. "Governor Hochul and her administration have been true partners in protecting health care for New Yorkers, and this exemption reflects that shared commitment. With the Bronx Safety-Net Alliance working with the City and State, Bronx families who are working, seeking work, or facing hardship now have one less obstacle to maintaining the care they count on. We are grateful to the Governor, the New York State Department of Health, the City of New York, and every Alliance partner, and we look forward to continuing this work together."

Under H.R. 1, counties with high unemployment can qualify for a hardship exemption. Bronx County is the only county in New York State that meets the federal criteria. According to State Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri, Bronx residents subject to the new requirements will qualify for the exemption that will continue as long as the borough's unemployment rate remains above the federal threshold.

"This hardship exemption will help ensure that Bronx residents can continue to access the care they need without unnecessary administrative barriers standing in their way," said Rose Duhan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS). "At a time when community health centers and other safety-net providers are already facing tremendous financial pressures, keeping New Yorkers insured is more important than ever. CHCANYS thanks Governor Hochul and her administration for their leadership and commitment to protecting coverage for hundreds of thousands of Bronx residents."

The Bronx Safety-Net Alliance grew out of "A Bronx Call to Action: Protecting SNAP and Medicaid," a convening forum Urban Health Plan hosted on June 12. The gathering brought together elected and government officials, community-based organizations, health care providers, managed care plans, legal advocates, food system leaders, and other stakeholders to develop a coordinated response to federal changes affecting Medicaid and SNAP. Members have worked together ever since.

In September, the Alliance sent a letter to State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald and State Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri, asking New York State to request a county-level high-unemployment hardship exemption for the Bronx from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

"NYLAG is grateful NY State will preserve Medicaid access for hundreds of thousands of Bronx residents, thanks to the collective efforts of NYLAG's fellow advocates and BSNA partners," said Rebecca Wallach, Director of the Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program at the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG). "We look forward to continuing to build collective power as the BSNA in our ongoing work together to stand up for the rights and dignity of all New Yorkers."

The stakes are particularly high in the Bronx, which has the highest Medicaid enrollment rate in New York State. Approximately 600,000 Bronx adults ages 19 to 64 are enrolled in Medicaid, representing roughly two-thirds of adults in that age group.

The New York State Department of Health is working with CMS to finalize how the exemption will be applied, with details expected in November. Bronx Medicaid members will still need to renew their coverage every six months, and those who receive SNAP will face new SNAP work requirements. The Alliance encourages individuals to keep their contact information up to date, open all mail about their coverage, and complete every renewal on time.

"This exemption is a significant victory for Bronx residents and for the many organizations that came together to make their voices heard," said Zac Hall, Senior Vice President of Programs at Food Bank For New York City. "Administrative barriers can put essential benefits at risk for individuals and families already working hard to make ends meet. We are proud to stand alongside the Bronx Safety-Net Alliance in advocating for policies that protect access to critical supports. While this is an important step forward, we remain focused on helping New Yorkers navigate ongoing SNAP enrollment and renewal requirements so they can continue accessing the resources they need to stay healthy and food secure."

About the Bronx Safety-Net Alliance

The Bronx Safety-Net Alliance is a multi-stakeholder coalition of hospitals, federally qualified health centers, managed care organizations, and community-based organizations serving Bronx County. Its members are united in a shared mission to ensure that Bronx residents have access to integrated, high-quality health care and social services regardless of their ability to pay.

About Urban Health Plan

Urban Health Plan (UHP) is one of the largest federally qualified health systems in New York State, serving communities in the South Bronx, Central Harlem, and Corona, Queens. The system includes 13 practice sites, 12 school-based health centers, and 2 mental health facilities. UHP's mission is to continuously improve the community's health and quality of life by providing affordable, comprehensive, high-quality primary, specialty, and behavioral health services. In 2025, it served more than 91,000 patients and employed over 1,000 associates and providers. UHP is Joint Commission-accredited. For more information, visit urbanhealthplan.org.

SOURCE Urban Health Plan