Last night, advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), NJ Citizen Action and the NJ Black Empowerment Coalition convened a roundtable discussion on the impacts of the budget reconciliation bill in front of Congress on Americans’ access to Medicaid and Marketplace coverage.
Last month, the U.S. House advanced a proposal to cut Medicaid by billions of dollars and weaken protections in the state and private insurance market, taking a step further in limiting access to coverage and disrupting health care for all, no matter individuals’ health plan.
Approximately 2 million New Jerseyans--nearly a quarter of all residents in the state—are insured through Medicaid. The proposed cuts could strip 350,000 of these residents of their access to health insurance. Additionally, it is estimated that nearly 90% of New Jerseyans insured on the state Marketplace would see their premiums increase if Congress allows the enhanced ACA tax credits to expire.
Also at risk is the survival of many of New Jersey’s hospitals; a mass loss of Medicaid and Marketplace coverage would lead to an uptick in uncompensated care, leaving hospitals to shoulder the cost burden.
Among the speakers who outlined what’s at stake during the roundtable was Jeanelle Adams, a 36-year-old breast cancer survivor and ACS CAN volunteer from Newark. Medicaid factored directly into Adams’ survivorship and remains critical in keeping her cancer at bay.
“Before Medicaid, I had spent over a year trying to convince doctors to take my symptoms seriously. My cancer advanced to stage III while I advocated for myself at every turn. But after I enrolled, the system started working for me. I received genetic testing, had a double mastectomy, started chemo and immunotherapy, and even enrolled in a clinical trial—all without delays or impossible costs,” said Adams. “I hope each of our representatives in Congress reject any and all cuts to care. They mustn’t forget that they represent real people here at home, real New Jerseyans like me who rely on Medicaid and the Marketplace.”
Laura Waddell, Healthcare Program Director for New Jersey Citizen Action, lent her voice to the discussion, adding, "Now that we can see what the U.S. House and U.S. Senate are proposing, in New Jersey alone, we’re looking at a $3.6 billion cut to Medicaid at the least, $500 million slash to ACA subsidies, and triggered reductions in Medicare.” She continued, “These numbers aren’t just statistics, they translate to real harm: an estimated 350,000 people could lose their NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid coverage, over 454,000 Get Covered NJ/ACA enrollees will see their premiums rise, and 50% of NJ Medicare recipients may pay more for lifesaving prescriptions. Most importantly, these cuts have nothing to do with eliminating waste or improving efficiency - they are about funding tax breaks for the wealthy and large corporations on the backs of working families, seniors, and the most vulnerable. We need every member of New Jersey’s congressional delegation to stand up and vote No on any proposal that cuts health care coverage and increases costs for our communities.”
“New Jersey is facing a health care emergency, with $3.6 billion in proposed Medicaid cuts and $500 million in ACA subsidy reductions threatening care for working families, seniors and rural communities,” said Jane Collins-Colding, Chair of the New Jersey Black Empowerment Coalition. “These devastating cuts would gut essential services to fund tax breaks for the wealthy and large corporations. People across the state are already struggling; this would push them further into crisis. We need all hands on deck: contact your member of Congress and demand they vote NO on any plan that cuts health care or raises medical costs.”
Sobeida Santana-Joseph, MBA, MSN, RN, NE-BC, OCN, who serves as the Executive Director of the Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center, said, “I appreciate the opportunity to address the elephant in the room about potential Medicaid cuts and the potential impact to healthcare facilities because, yes, people in Bergen County do have Medicaid.” She continued, “Though Bergen County is known for its high median household income and insured payer mix, there are pockets of under and uninsured patients and it is our social responsibility not to forget about them or leave them behind.”
The Senate is expected to vote on the reconciliation bill in the coming days. The U.S. House will then have the chance to vote on the bill, again. ACS CAN, NJ Citizen Action and the NJ Black Empowerment Coalition call on every member of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, particularly the lawmakers—Congressman Jeff Van Drew, Tom Kean Jr. and Christopher Smith—who previously voted in favor of the cuts, to reject any threat to New Jersey patients and hospitals.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.