CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- People gathered outside of Congressman Nick Langworthy's district office in Corning on Thursday to speak out against federal cuts they say he is in support of. The congressman encourages the protests but says he wants to set the record straight.

The event was organized by members of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union (AFSCME) to discuss how those cuts could affect local public service employees.

They say Representative Nick Langworthy (R-NY23) voted in favor of supporting cost-raising tariffs, cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and more.

Several local healthcare workers attended the event and said a few words about their experiences in the field and with patients during this time.

"If the Medicaid cuts are in place, it will result in higher cost to healthcare coverage for our neighbors who need this coverage will be gone," said Peggy Clarkson, an employee at Guthrie Corning Hospital. "All of the tax breaks money will be ending up going to the billionaires. Nothing will be seen by our children, our elderly and all those who deserve health care and have none whatsoever."

According to AFSCME, 45% of patient service revenue at Guthrie Corning Hospital comes from Medicare and Medicaid.

Protestors say they fear these cuts could cost jobs and reduce care across the region.

However, Congressman Langworthy says cuts to Medicaid are not on their radar and that they plan to address labor shortages in the district as well.

"When Medicaid was created, it was created for those that are the truly impoverished, under 100% of the poverty line, pregnant women, children, and the elderly," said Langworthy. "And it's become a catchall. Obamacare grew Medicaid and it's out of control. New York spends more on the program than Texas and California combined. It's unsustainable at current trajectory. Putting work requirements on those able-bodied people with no dependent children that are under the age of 55 would go a long way to answering the needs of our businesses here locally that need employees while at the same time giving people a hand up and hopefully getting them on a trajectory to enter that workforce."

Langworthy continued, "I am keenly aware that Medicaid is an important program and I wanna work to preserve that program into the future. That is, it's in danger right now. And if we let, if we make no changes, the system goes broke, and that is something that is really lost on people that are trying to create this noise to derail Republicans in government."

Protestors in the 23rd Congressional District continue to argue that their reality on the ground is a different story. Some even say they are already seeing the affects on their 401ks.

"These agencies go into our personal records and, even for people who support Trump and voted for him, they certainly did not vote for Elon Musk and the power that he's being given is outrageous," said Ira Manhoff, a retired union member. "Quite honestly, if I knew this was coming, I would have put off my retirement and had to work until I was ready for the grave, and I don't think that that's how our country, the richest country in the world, needs to treat their workers. I think we need the respect and the consideration to be given for all the years of hard work that we've put into it."

Those who attended today's protest say they plan to keep the pressure on Langworthy to vote against potential cuts.

"Nick Langworthy sits on the Commerce Committee and the way that these cuts are going to be made is going to flow directly through that committee so, it's really important that he understands that his constituents here in the Southern Tier know that this is something that he has actual power to influence and we expect him to do it the right way," said Maggie Rex, the Southern Tier Coordinator for the Rochester-Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation.

Manhoff added that he planned to call in to Langworthy's monthly telephone town hall meeting on Thursday night and encouraged fellow constituents to do the same.

However, several say they are still upset that he does not host in-person meetings.

Previously, Congressman Langworthy faced some criticism from his opponents regarding his stance on in-person town halls. He says he will not cater to the "mobs," and he will continue to host them over the phone as he has since his first day in office. Langworthy says these are more accessible to reach homes across the district and help people attend without having to find childcare, take time off work, etc.

"I represent the values of the majority of the voters in this district," said Langworthy. "Doesn't mean that there's not a good chunk that have a different political persuasion, but they don't make up the majority in this district."

Langworthy says he encourages those who have challenging viewpoints to keep protesting and attend his town halls, adding that he welcomes all dialogue.

For those looking for more information on how to reach Congressman Langworthy or access his town hall meetings, that information can be found on his website. To attend or access his town hall meetings, you can subscribe to his newsletter or find recordings on his YouTube channel.