More than 79 million persons are enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), making it the largest health insurer in the U.S. Medicaid pays for almost half of U.S. birth, and is a major payer for long term care (nursing homes) and behavioral health services. It’s critical to the health of hospitals, many of which could not survive without Medicaid payments.
The 2025 budget will affect millions of Americans starting October 1, adding so-called work requirements and recertification every 6 months rather than annually. Just what we need – more bureaucracy! Facing cuts to state aid (the Federal share is 60%), New Jersey enacted a special fee for large employers to cover the expected funding gap.
Many of us who are middle class and have health insurance may think this will not affect us. However, a major unexpected illness costing more than we expect, can drive any of us into medical poverty. The cuts, voted by NJ’s three Republican House members, will not affect them; Congress has great health insurance. What about the rest of us?
Prayer for the Day
Life-changing God who walks with us before we call on you,
We seek to understand you and what you call us to do;
Bringing us into community, we listen for your voice
Which sometimes comes in surprising places.
Turn the water of our souls into the wine of your Spirit
So we serve you more fully and completely.
We ask this in the name of him who cares for all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
So states have no choice but to consider innovative ways to raise revenue in order to protect the continuity of health care and services to our residents. On the other side of the coin, it’s vital that we protect our low-income and most-vulnerable residents, who’ve been targeted by this federal administration, time and time again.
Laura Waddell, New Jersey Citizen Action
Closing those corporate [tax] loopholes to make sure companies actually pay what they are supposed to pay based on the profits they’re generating is going to be particularly important as the economy gets more and more concentrated in a small number of companies.
Peter Chen, New Jersey Policy Perspectives
Blessed are those who consider the poor; the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble.
The Lord protects them and keeps them alive; they are called happy in the land.
Psalm 41: 1-2