The Cost of Living: Experts, Advocates, and Long Island Residents Discuss the Importance of Social Security, Medicare
“The economic situation we find ourselves in right now—including the cost of living crisis here on Long Island—is a policy choice…” - Alex Lawson
HEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK — Yesterday, Empire State Voices and Economic Security Project hosted a community forum in Hempstead, featuring a moderated panel discussion with local organizers, advocates, and policy experts on Long Island’s ongoing cost of living crisis. The evening’s conversation took a look at the aggravating factors that led to our current crisis, the way programs like Social Security and Medicare are helping families make ends meet, the threats these programs face, and the legislative steps that would ensure all Long Islanders can continue to afford basic necessities like groceries, clothing, and housing.
From left to right: Shannon-Janean Currie, Alex Lawson, Maekyla Massey, and Jay Brandon. | Credit: EMPIRE STATE VOICES
The demand for housing far outpacing supply, the price of childcare exceeding the cost of tuition at some state colleges, and utility and grocery prices reaching all-time highs has left one in every five families in Nassau County unable to keep up with the rising cost of bare essentials. Under this level of financial strain, social safety net programs provide critical support for tens of thousands of families, with over 15,000 Nassau County residents receiving monthly Social Security benefits and over 60,000 enrolled in Medicare.
“As inflation rises, low-income families are finding it harder to rely on essential safety nets like Medicare and Social Security,” said Shannon-Janean Currie, Vice President at Benenson Strategy Group. “These programs are critical for families already stretched thin, but they were never designed to cover the growing gaps caused by the cost of living crisis. My research shows that many are being forced to take on second jobs or gig work just to supplement what these benefits no longer fully provide. This isn't just about economic survival—it's about protecting the dignity and security that Medicare and Social Security are meant to offer.”
“Engaging in discussion and acknowledging that we are in the midst of a cost of living crisis—as well as a serious predicament in which essential programs can be cut—is a crucial first step to ensuring a better future for everyday Americans,” said Maekyla Massey, a Gen-Z Community Organizer and resident of Baldwin, NY. “Programs like Medicaid and Social Security are a lifeline for many. These issues we are discussing this evening are not Left or Right issues, but they are American issues that impact every single one of us. We should all encourage one another to unite behind these issues and foster unity and understanding rather than divisiveness.”
Under the current cost of living crisis, one in every five families in Nassau County has been unable to keep up with the rising cost of bare essentials. | Credit: EMPIRE STATE VOICES
Over the past 18 months, Congress has considered several proposals that would significantly weaken and undermine both Social Security and Medicare. In 2023, House Republicans tried twice to pass legislation that would have severely cut funding for both the Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These cuts would have forced hundreds of offices to close nationwide, making it harder for the 4.1 million New Yorkers who rely on those programs to access their benefits.
“The attacks on Social Security and Medicare that we’ve seen from this House Republican caucus are inexcusable,” said Dylan Wheeler, NY-04 Regional Organizing Director for Empire State Voices. “Social Security and Medicare are critical buffers against the current cost of living crisis for tens of thousands of families here in Nassau County. Cutting funding for the agencies that administer these programs would increase wait times and make it harder for millions of New Yorkers to access the benefits they rely on to keep up with rising costs.”
“Anyone who says that we 'can't afford' Social Security and Medicare is lying to protect the ultra-wealthy.” - Alex Lawson | Credit: EMPIRE STATE VOICES
Despite being kept at bay last year, the efforts to undermine these programs have continued. In March of this year, the Republican Study Committee released its 2025 budget proposal, which called for raising the retirement age, cutting Social Security benefits, and increasing the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs for millions of New Yorkers. Instead, it proposed putting those funds towards extending tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations. House Republicans have already begun implementing some of these proposals in this year’s government funding fight.
“Anyone who says that we 'can't afford' Social Security and Medicare is lying to protect the ultra-wealthy,” said Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works. “We live in the richest country in the history of the world; we have more than enough resources to ensure that every single person can live with dignity. The economic situation we find ourselves in right now—including the cost of living crisis here on Long Island—is a policy choice made by those who would rather give tax cuts to billionaires than look out for the health and wellbeing of their own constituents.”
To learn more about Empire State Voices, please reach out to press@empirestatevoices.org
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About Empire State Voices
Empire State Voices (ESV) is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. ESV is fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same.
About Economic Security Project Action
Economic Security Project Action mobilizes resources and people behind ideas that build economic power for all Americans. As an ideas advocacy organization, we legitimize our issues by supporting cutting-edge research and elevating champions, win concrete policy victories for the communities that need to see change now, and provoke the conventional wisdom to shift what’s considered possible. Our team of academics, organizers, practitioners, and culture makers disburse grants, run issue campaigns, develop creative interventions and research products to support the field and coordinate events to encourage investment and action from others.
