NYC mayor says undocumented patients crowd top hospitals while locals face reduced care

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, together with Attorney General Letitia James, launched a lawsuit with other Democratic mayors to block the federal public-charge rule that would restrict welfare benefits for non-citizens. Mamdani warned that the rule could force millions, including many children, to forgo medical care and potentially lead to deaths. He emphasized that immigrants are integral to the city and should not be treated cruelly.

Meanwhile, Mount Sinai Hospital, a renowned medical center, announced it is restricting enrollment of certain Medicaid patients because the influx of undocumented patients has eroded its revenue. A hospital representative, Lucia Lee, said the decision aims to balance high-quality care with financial sustainability. The hospital also promotes free, confidential treatment for undocumented workers injured on the job, highlighting the tension between humanitarian services and budget constraints.