WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Pictured above, Members of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1168 gathered with a host of Union Representatives, Elected Officials, Health Care Workers and their patients outside the DeGraff Medical Park in North Tonawanda on Wednesday (September 17th) to launch a concerted call to mobilize against President Donald Trump’s so called One Big Beautiful Bill that will slash $1 trillion in upcoming Federal health care funding.  (WNYLaborToday.com Photos)

(NORTH TONAWANDA, NEW YORK) – It may not be too late, but the hourglass has been turned upside down and time is ticking when it comes to President Donald Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill that those in the know estimate will slash an astounding $1 trillion in upcoming Federal health care funding.   

If gone unchallenged and allowed to happen, Representatives of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1168 and those who joined them in a news conference held outside the DeGraff Medical Park in North Tonawanda on Wednesday (September 17th), countless Americans will be negatively impacted with the loss of quality care that may never be replaced.

“We are asking the Kaleida Health System (which is slated to close five area health facilities by December 1st) ‘to join with us in this fight,’” Local 1168 Executive Vice President Bob Andruszko (pictured below), a Registered Nurse himself, told those in attendance. “The Federal Government ‘has to pay attention to us.’ (If facilities like the ones marked for closure by Kaleida happen) ‘people will have to travel hundreds of miles in some instances’ (to get the care they so desperately need). ‘We must reverse these cuts and get our services back.’”

Andruszko then shouted out: “Stop The Cuts!,” which was followed by many in the crowd chanting the same.

Kaleida’s announced closures - which are scheduled to take place before the end of 2025, include: The Millard Fillmore Surgery Center (Closing October 1st); Outpatient Therapy Services at DeGraff (Closing November 10th); Buffalo Therapy Services (Closing November 10th); The ENT Department at the Buffalo General Medical Center (Closing December 1st); and Family Planning Services in Buffalo (Closing December 1st).

While several patients and Electeds spoke, Adam Fogel - who serves as Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman Tim Kennedy of Buffalo, offered a possible ray of hope, telling all that Democrats in Washington will push for restoration of the targeted health care services (including Medicaid, Medicare and all aspects of the Affordable Care Act) in return for their support for a Bill in Congress that would keep the Federal Government open and running.

“Health care is a ‘universal human right’ - and ‘what we are seeing at Kaleida is only the beginning,’” he said.

Registered Nurse Sarah Buckley, who serves as CWA Local 1168’s Legislative/Political Director, pledged the CWA and others will “do ‘whatever we can to stop these closures and the impact it will have (on so many) lives.’”

“Many patients ‘will be unable to access the services they need,’” she said. “They ‘will be sent to places far away (to access such services) and to expect them to navigate that is unacceptable.’ ‘We want a halt to all these closures and we need our Federal Officials, including Congresspeople Nick Langworthy and Claudia Tenney, to reverse’ the cuts.”

The United Steelworkers, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 17 and the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation had representatives attending the news conference in a show of solidarity.

Several DeGraff patients, including some who actually worked as Caregivers at the North Tonawanda Medical Facility, shared their personal stories of illness and care, which were both heartbreaking and uplifting, underscoring the worth and need of what the Kaleida Health System offers those who live in the North Tonawanda Community that has 32,000 residents:

Josette Alfano (pictured below), a Physical and Lymphedema Therapist who worked at the DeGraff Wellness Center for 26 years, said the facility “improved the quality of life” for so many people. “We ‘worked together as a team’ for Kaleida for decades. If this closes, (the patients) ‘will disappear.’ ‘If we lose these programs, they will not be easily brought back.’ ‘These are services that this community cannot lose,’” she said.

Elaine Polino, a Speech-Language Pathologist who worked at DeGraff for 37 years and is a cancer survivor herself, said: “I ‘am out of my comfort zone, but I feel the need to voice my concerns.’ We have patients ‘who are in need and we need to provide continuous and seamless care’ (to them).”

Terese Willett, who recovered from a stroke with the help of the Caregivers at DeGraff, said: “COVID ‘caused my massive stroke and I lost my vision and the use of my left side.’ ‘I am forever grateful’ to DeGraff ‘for giving me my life back.’ ‘Now, I can walk a mile.’ ‘I can move my fingers.’ ‘I can tie my shoes and button my own clothes.’ ‘They took away my fear.’ ‘I hope you never have the need for it, but if you do, I hope (DeGraff) is here for you.’”