Governor Phil Murphy led a roundtable discussion this week at the Westfield Community Center to address the potential impact of proposed federal Medicaid cuts on New Jersey families.
The discussion focused on the 700,000 working-age residents who could lose coverage if the cuts move forward. Attendees included residents from the 7th Congressional District, which spans parts of Morris, Union, Somerset, and Sussex Counties, as well as all of Hunterdon and Warren Counties.
Key Details
- Issue: Federal proposals to cut Medicaid funding could cost New Jersey $10 billion in support.
- Participants: Governor Murphy was joined by Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman, Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer, and Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston. Seven residents who depend on NJ FamilyCare, the state’s Medicaid program, also shared their experiences. The event also featured the President and CEO of Children’s Specialized Hospital, which serves over 44,000 patients with special healthcare needs.
- Location: The roundtable took place at Westfield Community Center in Union County, with attendees from across the 7th Congressional District.
- Timing: The discussion occurred amid ongoing uncertainty over federal budget decisions.
- Reason: With 1.8 million people relying on NJ FamilyCare—including children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities—officials warn that funding cuts could force reductions in provider payments, lead to healthcare facility closures, and weaken public health systems across the state.
- Funding: NJ FamilyCare operates on a $24 billion annual budget, with $14 billion from federal sources and $10 billion from the state. If federal aid is reduced, critical services such as doctor visits, mental health care, and long-term support could be scaled back or lost entirely.
“The proposed Medicaid cuts by Congressional leadership are unacceptable and alarming,” said Governor Murphy.
Nearly two million New Jersey residents depend on Medicaid, including seniors, children, individuals with disabilities, and entire families. Taking away this lifeline would put their health and well-being at risk.”
Personal Testimonies
The event featured stories from caregivers of family members with rare conditions, advocates for adults with disabilities, and seniors who rely on Medicaid for affordable healthcare.
Many emphasized that losing Medicaid coverage would make it impossible to afford essential medications, residential care, and community-based programs.
“New Jersey’s Medicaid program provides health coverage for nearly half of the state’s children and supports one-third of births,” said Sarah Adelman, Commissioner of the Department of Human Services. “These potential cuts would take away healthcare from hundreds of thousands of residents.
The impact is real—it will affect children, seniors, new mothers, and people with disabilities while weakening our public health system.”
Local Impact
In Morris County, which includes Morristown, healthcare providers are bracing for challenges. With 1 in 10 New Jersey workers employed in the healthcare sector, federal budget cuts could threaten not only patient care but also jobs.
Reductions in Medicaid funding could lead to lower reimbursement rates, forcing clinics, nursing homes, and supportive housing programs to cut services or shut down.
“Medicaid benefits everyone, whether they are directly enrolled or not,” said Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston, MD, MSc, DFASAM. “Every Medicaid dollar lost means lost jobs, hospital closures, rising healthcare costs, and more preventable deaths.”
As Congress debates national healthcare funding, Governor Murphy’s administration continues to highlight Medicaid’s critical role in supporting New Jersey’s most vulnerable populations.
Residents seeking more information or wishing to voice concerns can contact the New Jersey Department of Human Services for guidance on how federal policy changes may impact them.
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