NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: NYC Subways See Lower Violent Crime Rates Than Other Major Cities, NJ Hospitals Face Major Medicaid Cuts

Episode Date: August 1, 2025

New York City’s subway system has a lower rate of major violent crime compared to public transit in other large U.S. cities, according to a new report. Meanwhile, New Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew says he worked to preserve a special Medicaid program threatened by a new federal tax and spending bill. But as WNYC’s Mike Hayes reports, New Jersey hospitals are still expected to lose hundreds of millions in funding.

Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Friday, August 1st. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. New York City Subways have a lower rate of major violent crimes in several other big cities. As WNYC Samantha Max reports, that's according to a new report from the Policy Journal, Vital City. The report found there's an average of about one major violent crime per minute. million rides on the subway in New York City. In D.C., there are about two. In Chicago, almost four. And in San Francisco, more than six. Vital City researchers say major crime on the subway system

has dropped below pre-pandemic levels. But felony assaults are up, just like they are above ground. The report found there's an average of about six major crimes per day in the system. That's a small fraction of the approximately 317 major crimes per day citywide. New Jersey Congressmember Jeff Andrews says he worked to save a unique Medicaid program that helps fund hospitals from President Trump's tax and spending bill. WNYC's Mike Hayes reports how New Jersey hospitals still, though, will lose hundreds of millions of dollars. It's called the county option tax. New Jersey hospitals and counties serving a lot of low-income people

can pay a fee and get federal Medicaid reimbursements boosted. It raises over $2 billion annually for New Jersey hospitals serving vulnerable populations. Congressman Jeff Van Drew touted he worked with Trump to preserve this program. But analysis by the New Jersey Department of Human Services shows that an agreed to cap starting in 2028 will still lead to $800 million in lost funding through the program. The Andrews office did not respond the questions about this loss of funding for New Jersey hospitals over time. We are at 66 with clouds right now in Soho. We have shower chances this morning and rain chances all the way to midday,

mostly cloudy and 74 for high with the winds gusting of 22 miles an hour. And then tomorrow's sunny and 80 Sunday, sunny and 83. So a dry weekend with sunshine. 66 in clouds now. Thanks for listening. This is NYC Now from WMYC. Check us out for updates every weekday, three times a date, for the latest news headlines and occasional deep dives.

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