Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-6th District) is working to sound the alarm about plans to slash Medicaid funding, saying it will have a devastating impact on health care in New Jersey.
Last week, the House Budget Committee approved a budget resolution, including at least $880 billion in Medicaid cuts over the next ten years.
Pallone said these cuts would jeopardize the health care of 1.7 million New Jerseyans and Community Health Centers (CHCs), hospitals and nursing homes across New Jersey, crippling facilities such as Central Jersey Medical Center, which provides essential primary, dental, and preventive care to thousands of working-class and low-income people in Perth Amboy and surrounding communities.
Pallone, speaking from the hospital, said steps need to be taken.
“I saw up close today how Central Jersey Medical Center provides essential care — whether it’s preventive services, dental care, or managing chronic conditions — and I know what’s at stake if these cuts go through,” he said.
As the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid and CHC funding, Pallone feels he is a last line of defense against Republican attacks on health care access. He has led efforts to protect Medicaid funding, defend Americans’ health care coverage, and expand support for Community Health Centers.
Pallone said the proposed cuts are being taken to fund tax cuts, though that is not clear at this time.
“This isn’t about ‘fiscal responsibility’ — it’s about ripping health care away from seniors in nursing homes, children and people with disabilities,” he said. “Slashing Medicaid would shut down health centers like this one, gut hospitals, and overwhelm emergency rooms. It’s immoral, and I’ll fight it every step of the way.”
House Republicans are hoping to bring the budget resolution up for a vote of the full House as early as next week.
Pallone said the state’s 24 Community Health Centers provide care at 136 locations statewide, ensuring that nearly two million residents — including Medicaid patients, the uninsured, and underserved communities — have access to doctors, nurses, and preventive care.
Medicaid currently covers 1.7 million residents, including children, pregnant women, seniors in long-term care, and individuals with disabilities.
Pallone said the Republicans’ proposed cuts would destabilize New Jersey’s health care system, pushing more patients into already-strained emergency rooms, increasing uncompensated care costs, and driving up insurance premiums for everyone.
Republican proposals, such as so-called “per capita caps” would shift costs onto states – forcing New Jersey to slash services, limit eligibility, and cut provider payments, he said.
Pallone said the cuts to CHC funding would threaten the viability of health centers like Central Jersey Medical Center, which could be forced to close or severely limit services.
Pallone took a shot at Elon Musk, who is leading the efforts of the Trump administration to reduce the cost of government.
“New Jerseyans deserve better — I won’t let them rip away your health care just so Elon Musk can buy another rocket,” he said.
