Several members of the Bergen County Board of Commissioners used the July 2 meeting to raise concerns about a pending federal budget bill they said would cut Medicaid and SNAP, potentially shifting costs to counties.

Commissioner Tracy Zurer (committee reports) said she toured Valley Hospital and expressed "grave" concern about the impact of Medicaid and SNAP cuts on vulnerable residents and the county’s health providers. She urged advocacy to preserve those programs.

"If, in fact, these Medicaid cuts are going to become a reality ... it will definitively impact those who are struggling the most in our community," Commissioner Zurer said.

Commissioner Tom Sullivan also addressed the board at length and warned that if federal changes reduce Medicaid and SNAP funding, local governments and counties will face the financial burden. "If you're going to cut Medicaid like they're doing in Washington right now and you're going to cut SNAP benefits, who's going to make it up? The resident taxpayer is going to have to make it up," Sullivan said.

Commissioners said the county will need to evaluate next year’s budget and find ways to cover service gaps without overburdening local taxpayers, and they indicated they would pursue advocacy and outreach to state and federal officials.

No formal county policy change or vote was taken at the July 2 meeting; the comments were part of committee reports and public statements. Any county budget response would require analysis by county finance staff and possible formal budgeting or legislative action.