The Burlington County Commissioners adopted a resolution opposing federal legislation that seeks to slash billions from Medicaid and make other changes that could put thousands of county residents at risk of losing health care and other critical assistance.
The resolution was adopted unanimously by the board on May 14. It calls on the members of the state’s congressional delegation to vote against a mammoth reconciliation bill that would impose major changes to Medicaid, Affordable Care Act tax credits and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help offset trillions in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
The resolution was sent to the offices of all 12 New Jersey members of the House of Representatives and U.S. senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim.
The resolution cites the following facts about Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits at risk of being drastically cut:
- More than 800,000 New Jersey residents, including 70,000 from the county, get health-care coverage through Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Affordable Care Act’s expansion.
- 52% of New Jersey’s elderly and disabled residents depend on Medicaid.
- Medicaid has covered the cost of 30% of New Jersey births.
- More than 500,000 additional New Jersey residents are enrolled in Medicaid thanks to the Affordable Care Act’s expansion coverage.
- Affordable Care Act affordability tax credits save enrollees on average $2,400 annually on private insurance plans.
- More than 22,000 county residents in 11,865 households rely on SNAP benefits, including working families, seniors, children and people with disabilities.
- Broad-based reductions to Medicaid are projected to reduce economic output in the state by $3.36 billion, according to a report from the Commonwealth Fund and George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health.
“Making changes to these programs to increase the bureaucratic red tape and requirements so that individuals and families lose their coverage or benefits is unconscionable and will cause severe harm to Burlington County families, communities, hospitals and our economy,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel.
