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Residents urge federal action on direct-care wages during Disability Awareness Month; councilors agree to advocate on Medicaid cuts
Summary
A Morristown resident urged the Town Council on March 25 to press lawmakers to increase wages for direct-care staff who serve people with disabilities; council members said they would advocate about Medicaid funding but made no formal commitment at the meeting.
MORRISTOWN, N.J. — On March 25, a resident speaking during public comment asked Morristown officials to press congressional representatives for higher wages for direct-care staff who work with people with disabilities, saying staffing shortages are harming recipients.
Bill Burn (recorded as Bill Burn) told the council he brought a sign reading “disability rights matter” and urged officials to “please call your congress people about our direct care staff wages increase because it's, pretty bad,” noting staffing shortages and disruptions in group homes.
Council members responded to the request and to related remarks about federal funding. One council member noted the potential effect of reductions in federal Medicaid matching funds, saying that when cuts occur “they're gonna be a lot of people suffering.” Another council member said that federal matching funds cover roughly 70 percent of certain services, heightening the local consequences of federal policy changes.
The council expressed support for speaking up on behalf of residents who rely on direct-care services but did not take any formal action at the meeting. No staff report or town policy change was proposed during the March 25 session.
