New York nurses protest proposals to cut hospital funding

Nurses in gathered at the epicenter of New York's COVID-19 outbreak Wednesday to demand federal and state lawmakers maintain funding levels for hospitals despite a huge budget shortfall by the state, and a Congress deadlocked on aid.

"We have been working tirelessly here during the COVID season, and we are exhausted and we need them not to cut," said Anthony Graniela, a nurse at Elmhurst hospital.

Local state lawmakers also joined the New York State Nurses Association at the protest, calling for tax increases on New York's wealthiest to bolster hospital funding, as well as action from the Trump administration and Congress.

In mid-May, the Democratic-led U.S. House voted to provide nearly $1 trillion of additional aid to states and local governments as part of a broad relief bill. But the legislation has stalled amid disagreements among President Donald Trump's administration, Republican Senate leaders and Democrats over the size, scope and necessity of another relief package. In general, Republicans want a smaller, less costly version.

The prospects for a pre-election COVID-19 relief measure appear to be dimming, with aid to states and local governments one of the key areas of conflict.

In New York, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration estimates the state will receive about $8 billion less in tax revenue than once expected this fiscal year.

Cuomo, who recently became chairman of the National Governors Association, wants Congress to provide an additional $30 billion to New York to plug budget holes that he warns will compound in coming years.