Source: Johnny Nunez/Getty
Jadakiss and Jim Jones joined forces to march with health care workers on the New York governor's office to demand action Medicaid.
On Saturday (March 23), members of the health care workers union 1199SEIU marched in New York City to New York Governor Kathy Hochul's office to protest her new restrictions on Medicaid. Joining them along the way were two top rappers – Jadakiss and Jim Jones. The Dipset MC shared footage of himself and artist Lox marching with healthcare workers in the rain in an Instagram post.
“What are we doing;” Jadakiss asks as Jim Jones holds up the camera to capture the moment. “We're marching like Malcolm and Martin, here for a good cause,” Jones replies. Captioning the post, she wrote: “Special shout out to all the healthcare workers #1199 who are showing up for the cause today and marching to fight for [what’s] right,” also adding:
“The government only covers 70 percent of Medicaid costs in our New York hospitals [and] clinics. This 30 percent gap causes underfunding [which] cause hospitals to b[e] understaffed and then eventually has to close [their] doors. So that this does not happen to us [need] everyone to inform the governor that we need 30 percent [be] applied immediately. Shout out to @hot97 [and] @funkflex to keep the city together when we need it most @jadakiss.”
In January, 1199SEIU called on Governor Hochul to stop underpaying state hospitals for Medicaid claims. Currently, only 70% of all Medicaid bills are paid in full. “Over seven million New Yorkers rely on Medicaid services, the majority of whom come from Black and Latino communities. Despite the fact that Medicaid provides vital coverage to these New Yorkers, the state pays hospitals 30% less than the actual cost of the care required. statement reads. This practice led to the closure of two major hospitals in New York and 15 maternity hospitals in the state.
The march is the second time Jadakiss has been spotted out in public service. He was recently seen offering support to those incarcerated in the Rikers Island prison system by bringing them pizza from viral restaurant Cuts N' Slices.
“I didn't break my fast but let the brothers enjoy the meal and the festivities,” she captioned it.
