Gov. Hochul takes a swipe at Rep. Stefanik over Trump Medicaid cuts

Gov. Kathy Hochul took a not-so-veiled swipe Sunday at her potential Republican challenger for governor, Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Hochul, in a television interview, warned that federal cuts to Medicaid would push New York’s health system to the brink of collapse. She chided the state’s seven Republican Congressmembers for approving the cuts sought after by President Donald Trump.

She also warned against Trump getting more control over his home state.

“If someone who's a MAGA Republican gets elected as governor — and there’s one probably running against me, think about the power that Donald Trump will have over everything in the state,” she told ABC 7’s Bill Ritter Sunday morning. “That's what should give people great pause.”

Stefanik hasn’t officially declared a run for governor but Republican Rep. Mike Lawler’s recent departure from the race is being viewed as a sign that Stefanik, a close Trump acolyte, is interested in running.

Stefanik spokesperson Wendell Husebo said the congressmember “has been a proven champion for rural healthcare by delivering for families, our local hospitals, and community health centers,” and blamed Hochul for what he said is “catastrophic” and “unsustainable” spending in the state.

“Far Left NY Democrats like Kathy Hochul continue to fearmonger because they know that President Trump and Elise Stefanik are delivering results for the American people," Husebo said.

Hochul continued to make dire predictions about the effects of Republicans’ “Big Beautiful Bill” saying cuts to Medicaid will leave 1.5 million New Yorkers uninsured and will worsen healthcare quality and access for the entire state.

“ They know it's hurting their districts,” she said of New York’s Republican delegation. “They know it's hurting the people who live on the farms and in rural communities and in our urban areas — They don't care. And that's what's so sad about this.”