Tiffany Mason, 37, joined the fight Thursday against any potential cuts to Medicaid coverage, appearing with Sen. Chuck Schumer and several health care executives at a rally at Helen Hayes Hospital in Haverstraw.

"I'm hoping this makes a difference because it's important to get our services," she said, adding that without those services, "I wouldn't be able to be who I am."

Mason, who lives with cerebral palsy, told News 12 her life is good mainly because of the services and people at the local nonprofit Jawonio - a special residence that accommodates her mobility needs, a team of cerebral palsy specialists and educational programs.

Mason has been involved with Jawonio since she was 6 months old.

Sixty-two percent of Jawonio's budget -- more than $30 million a year -- comes from Medicaid payments.

"I wouldn't be able to be a part of the different groups that I'm a part of," Mason said of her advocacy work on local committees. "It's important. Mainly, I wouldn't be able to have my wheelchair that helps me get around."

The fully equipped motorized wheelchair cost about $23,000.

Medicaid helped pay for it.

"Medicaid funds agencies like Jawonio who supplies a residence and the necessary supports I need to survive," she said to a group of about 100 health care workers and clients.

Sen. Schumer and others called out District 17 Rep. Mike Lawler at the event for voting for a resolution to cut $880 billion in federal spending.

Schumer is concerned that some of those cuts could affect Medicaid.

Lawler's team responded saying he has pledged not to vote on any measure to reduce Medicaid coverage, and he signed onto a letter with 12 other House Republicans telling House leadership they will not support any measure that specifies Medicaid coverage as a source of savings.

Leaders at Jawonio — Rockland County's fifth largest employer, according to Sen. Schumer's office — are concerned about the future of staff and services as some Republicans in Congress consider Medicaid cuts to help fund tax breaks.

"Without these services, they can't get the supports they need to survive," Jawonio CEO Randi Rios-Castro said. "Many of the people who we're supporting are people who cannot take care of themselves. They rely on staff."

"I've been living on my own for 15 years now," Mason said, "so that wouldn't be possible without the services I receive at Jawonio."

Executives at Helen Hayes Hospital and Westchester Medical Center are also concerned about the future.

Helen Hayes execs said 34% of the hospital's payments come from Medicaid.

A WMC executive said the hospital system 70% come from Medicaid.