The largest health care union in the country held "speakout" protests across the state today.

Thousands of hospital and nursing home workers are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to reverse $1 billion in proposed budget cuts and to properly fund Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals and nursing homes.

The 1199 Union says the 3% of Medicaid paid to doctors and providers is not enough to help the more than 7 million patients who rely on Medicaid. This includes half of the state's children and people with disabilities.

Because New York's Medicaid program reimburses doctors and providers 30% less than the actual cost of their care, multiple hospitals and nursing homes across the state have struggled financially, with some even announcing closures.

That especially goes for hospitals that serve low-income communities with high Medicaid enrollment.

Health care workers say, since New York state is sitting on a $40 billion reserve fund, it should focus on ending the Medicaid funding gap and fully fund care for the most vulnerable New Yorkers.