Pallone: Republican Medicaid Cuts Would Shut Down NJ Nursing Homes, Steal Care From Seniors

LONG BRANCH, NJ - At the Long Branch Senior Center today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) sounded the alarm on Republican plans to gut Medicaid by at least $880 billion - a move that could force seniors out of nursing homes, shut down long-term care facilities, and pile even more strain onto New Jersey hospitals already struggling to stay afloat.

Joined by health care workers from 1199 SEIU, workers from the Visiting Nurses Associations, and Alzheimer's advocates, Pallone warned that the proposed cuts - designed to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations - would be devastating for New Jersey, where Medicaid covers over 61% seniors in nursing homes.

"These Republican cuts to Medicaid are nothing short of cruel," Pallone said. "They would rip away nursing home care for seniors, eliminate home care options for people who just want to age with dignity, and drive hospitals deeper into financial distress. And why? So billionaires can get yet another tax break. If just a few House Republicans stand up and say 'no,' we can stop this reckless plan before it's too late."

The Republican proposal would impose the largest health care cuts in history on Medicaid, meaning states would get less federal funding no matter how many seniors need care. That means New Jersey nursing homes could be forced to shut their doors, and families would be left scrambling for options. Hospitals already facing closures in underserved areas would see even deeper funding cuts, leaving more patients without care.

"The current and proposed cuts in federal and state funding and resources raise significant concerns. These changes could have far-reaching negative impacts on the millions of Americans affected by dementia and the future of Alzheimer's and dementia research. Alzheimer's is not just a personal tragedy, one that I witnessed first-hand with the passing of my mother, but a growing public health crisis that demands robust voices in the fight. Policymakers must continue to prioritize the well-being of the nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer's, their 11 million caregivers, and the millions more who will be impacted by dementia in the coming years," Adele Sammarco, District 6 Ambassador, Alzheimer's Association.

"Republicans are preparing to seize healthcare from many of New Jersey's most vulnerable-including seniors, children, and people with disabilities-to pay for a vast giveaway to billionaires. Not only is it cruel and immoral to rip away Medicaid from people, but these radical changes will wreak havoc on our state's budget and threaten the viability of healthcare providers. Working people are already struggling to make ends meet and are now being asked to bear the brunt of radical tax cuts for the mega rich and large corporations. This is unconscionable and members of Congress must vote NO to any Medicaid cuts," said Milly Silva, Secretary Treasurer of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare union in the nation.

"Patients can have access to the best healthcare, but if they can't pay their electricity bill or face food insecurity, it doesn't matter. Medicaid provides critical wrap-around services that make a real difference in people's lives," … "when I see a patient has Medicaid, I breathe a sigh of relief because I know I can actually help them. No other insurance program does more to provide supportive services that ensure people not only get healthcare but can access and benefit from it," said Dr. Kate Aberger, Medical Director of Visiting Physician Services, Parker Advanced Care Institute, of VNA Health Group.