The $15 minimum wage legislation introduced Thursday by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin is already creating a stir. The strategy for home health aides and those who care for the elderly, who are typically reimbursed by Medicaid, is also of interest.
Multiple sources told ROI-NJ on Thursday that the proposed bill would increase the Medicaid spend in the fiscal 2020 budget.
One source said that number would be an increase of $200 million to reach the $15 wage.
This is not news to Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration. Another source told ROI-NJ the increased Medicaid budget, which includes a 50 percent match from the federal government, already has been discussed with the administration.
The bill from Coughlin (D-Woodbridge) calls for the expected raise from $8.60 to $8.85 per hour to occur in January, followed by an increase for the non-carveout workers to $9.55 on July 1.
