New Jersey Assembly Bill AR178

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/25
• Passed: 2/27/25

Caption

Condemns U.S. House of Representatives for passage of budget resolution cutting $1.5 trillion from federal budget and urges U.S. Senate to reject House resolution.

Impact

According to estimates from the New Jersey Department of Human Services, the proposed cuts could jeopardize up to $5.2 billion, constituting nearly 22% of the current budget for NJ FamilyCare, which includes Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. These substantial reductions are predicted to severely affect around 1.8 million low- and moderate-income residents who depend on NJ FamilyCare. Additionally, significant funding cuts to SNAP could limit benefits and eligibility for approximately 830,000 low-income families in New Jersey, exacerbating food insecurity in the state amidst rising prices caused by inflation and external factors.

Summary

Assembly Resolution No. 178 is a formal condemnation of the U.S. House of Representatives for their passage of a significant budget resolution aimed at cutting $1.5 trillion from the federal budget over a decade. The resolution specifically urges the United States Senate to reject this budget resolution, which, as stated, may disproportionately affect critical safety net programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The sponsors of this resolution highlight the detrimental impact these cuts would have on the most vulnerable populations in New Jersey.

Contention

The resolution reflects the sentiments of many in the New Jersey legislature who view the federal budget cuts as an unacceptable threat to essential support systems. Legislators argue that these funding reductions would lead to diminished healthcare access and increased hardship for countless families, particularly as current economic challenges persist. Furthermore, there is a strong concern voiced by the sponsors of the resolution that the negative implications of these budget cuts would not only affect residents' health and well-being but also push the healthcare system in New Jersey towards a crisis due to financial strain on hospitals and healthcare providers.