Pallone Calls on New Jersey Republicans to Stop Trump’s Massive Medicaid Cuts to Fund Billionaire Tax Breaks

Long Branch, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is calling on the three New Jersey Republicans to prevent devastating cuts to Medicaid, which could strip health care from millions of Americans -- including nearly 1.8 million New Jerseyans -- under the House Republican’s budget proposal. The cuts could move forward as early as tomorrow unless at least three House Republicans stand up to their own party and reject them.

“The House Republican budget pays for tax cuts for the rich by slashing at least $880 billion from Medicaid. That means hospitals and nursing homes will close, community health centers will shut their doors, and kids will lose health coverage,” Pallone said. We know these cuts would be devastating but it only takes three Republicans to stop this bill in its tracks. I call on Tom Kean, Jeff Van Drew, and Chris Smith to protect New Jersey’s most vulnerable children and families instead of giving tax cuts to billionaires. It’s time to choose.”

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Medicaid covers nearly 1.8 million New Jersey residents, including almost 800,000 children. The Republican budget plan, which aims to extend Trump’s tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy, would force drastic spending cuts to vital programs, with Medicaid on the chopping block.

• NJ-2 (Van Drew): 176,849 total Medicaid enrollees, 82,185 under age 19
• NJ-4 (Smith): 178,820 total Medicaid enrollees, 98,870 under age 19
• NJ-7 (Kean): 70,213 total Medicaid enrollees, 27,444 under age 19

“The numbers don’t lie. These cuts will hit every part of our state, from the Shore to the suburbs, to our cities,” Pallone continued. “This isn’t about partisanship, it’s about basic human decency. There is no way to cut this much from Medicaid without devastating consequences. There are 27,444 children on Medicaid in Tom Kean’s district hoping he makes the right choice.”

At Central Jersey Health Center, last week, Pallone warned that in addition to stripping health care from millions, the cuts would cripple hospitals, community health centers, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), with rural hospitals and health care providers facing the brunt of the crisis.

Pallone urged New Jerseyans to demand their representatives reject them before it’s too late.