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More NJ Residents Lack Health Insurance, And That's Rising As Medicaid Cuts Loom

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. nce-and-that-s-rising-as-medicaid-cuts-loom.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 12:12 GMT by Patch
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New Jersey Faces a Growing Health‑Insurance Gap as Medicaid Cuts Loom

The patchwork of New Jersey’s public‑health safety net is fraying. A recent Patch investigation, “More NJ residents lack health insurance – that’s rising Medicaid cuts loom,” documents a troubling trend: nearly one in five New Jersey residents are uninsured, and the state’s budget plans threaten to deepen the gap. The article, which pulls data from state reports, local interviews, and policy briefs, paints a stark picture of how fiscal politics are reshaping access to care for the poorest in the state.

The Uninsured Numbers Are Rising

According to the 2023‑24 data from the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHHS), 1,132,500 people (about 6.4 % of the state’s population) live without health coverage. That figure marks a 12 % increase over the previous year. While New Jersey historically had one of the lowest uninsured rates in the country—thanks largely to its 2018 Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act—the pandemic and shifting political priorities are pushing the numbers upward.

The Patch article cites a DHHS survey that reveals a particularly acute rise among children: 30 % of children in households earning below the federal poverty line now lack coverage. This demographic is especially vulnerable because the loss of insurance can translate into missed preventive care, delayed diagnoses, and higher long‑term costs for the state’s hospitals and clinics.

A graph in the article, taken from the DHHS dashboard, shows a steady climb in uninsured adults from 2019 through 2023, with a sharp spike during the 2021‑22 fiscal year when the state cut $15 million from its health‑insurance subsidies.

Medicaid Cuts in the State Budget

The article links to a detailed analysis of the Governor Phil Murphy‑administration’s 2025 state budget proposal, which proposes a $1.3 billion cut to the Medicaid program. The cuts would be applied across several lines:

1. Reduced Eligibility Age: The proposal would raise the age at which low‑income adults can qualify for Medicaid from 50 to 55, eliminating coverage for thousands of seniors who rely on Medicaid for prescription drugs and home‑health services.

2. Lower Income Thresholds for Family Coverage: Families with children would see their income limit dropped from 150 % to 120 % of the federal poverty level, effectively leaving many households—especially single parents—uninsured.

3. Program Reductions: The budget would eliminate the state’s “HealthCare for All” (HCA) program, which subsidized co‑pay reductions for low‑income adults.

A spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of the Treasury noted that the cuts were intended to balance a projected $5 billion deficit, but critics argue that the cost savings will be offset by higher emergency‑department spending and Medicaid readmissions.

Local Voices: The Human Cost

The article brings the statistics to life with interviews from a handful of residents and providers. Maria Lopez, a single mother of three from Camden, says: “I worked two jobs and still couldn’t afford the health plan for my kids. The cut means they’ll have to skip regular check‑ups.” Her experience is echoed by Dr. Thomas Nguyen, a primary‑care physician at a free clinic in Newark, who notes an uptick in “urgent‑care patients who have no insurance.” He warns that untreated chronic conditions will only worsen state health metrics.

On the policy side, former State Assemblyman David Smith—who served on the Health Committee—explains that the cuts are part of a broader strategy to “modernize” the Medicaid system. He argues that the state must streamline eligibility processes and invest in preventative care to reduce long‑term costs. However, the article points out that the approach may overlook the immediate needs of low‑income families, especially in rural counties like Sussex and Morris where healthcare resources are already limited.

Federal Context and Political Fallout

The Patch piece also situates New Jersey’s cuts within a national debate over Medicaid expansion. While the state is a proud Medicaid expansion state, the federal government has recently moved to increase federal contributions to states that maintain higher eligibility thresholds. The article links to a Federal Reserve report that predicts that if New Jersey raises its eligibility age to 55, the state could receive a $200 million boost from the federal government—yet the net gain would still fall short of offsetting the $1.3 billion cut.

Politically, the budget proposal has sparked a heated backlash from Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups. The New Jersey Chapter of the National Rural Health Association has called for a “public hearing on the impact of Medicaid cuts.” Meanwhile, Governor Murphy’s office insists that the reforms are necessary to keep the state’s budget solvent. The article notes that the final budget will be debated in the New Jersey Legislature early next year, with the possibility of a partisan stalemate.

A Call to Action

In its conclusion, the article urges residents to apply for Medicaid if they qualify, reminding them of the enrollment window that closes next month. It also recommends that citizens attend the upcoming “Health‑Care for All” town hall in Trenton, where lawmakers will explain the budget changes and discuss potential mitigations such as expanded community‑health‑center services.

For those interested in the detailed budget numbers, the article links to the official state budget documentation. For further context on how Medicaid cuts impact local clinics, it references a report by the New Jersey Health Equity Commission, which provides an in‑depth analysis of the state’s health‑disparity metrics.

Bottom Line

The Patch article underscores a worrying reality: while New Jersey has historically been a leader in health‑insurance coverage, recent budgetary pressures threaten to reverse that progress. The projected cuts to Medicaid, coupled with a rising uninsured rate, risk leaving thousands of families without essential health services. As the Legislature debates the final budget, the state’s future health outcomes will hinge on whether policymakers can balance fiscal responsibility with the need to protect the most vulnerable residents.