Residents ask Atlantic County commissioners to oppose federal Medicaid and SNAP cuts; board to review proposed resolution

Several residents and nonprofit leaders urged the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners to adopt a resolution opposing federal proposals that would reduce Medicaid funding, Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and SNAP benefits.

Alice Carsili of Indivisible Atlantic City Empathy United opened the public-comment segment, asking the board to "pass a resolution in opposition to any federal legislation that would take health care away, make health care less affordable, or shift costs for essential services to New Jersey's budget." She cited data sources including the New Jersey Department of Human Services, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the National Institute of Mental Health.

Speakers from nonprofit and advocacy organizations described local impacts. Susan Markowitz cited national and state enrollment figures and warned that expiration of enhanced ACA tax credits in 2025 could raise premiums for many New Jerseyans; Laura Rogers of Jewish Family Service said the agency has seen a 50% increase in food distribution since January and cautioned that SNAP cuts would overwhelm local providers.

Deborah Silver and other speakers focused on risks to children's mental-health services, long-term-care funding and community supports that rely on Medicaid. Terry Reese read a letter from Elizabeth McCarthy of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey stating that recent proposals in the U.S. House Agriculture and Budget committees would shift costs to states, raise work requirements, and considerably reduce benefits if enacted.

At least one speaker shared a personal account of the stakes: Susan Colguedes described her adult son's reliance on Medicaid for intensive services and said cuts could force institutional placements or large changes in family care arrangements.

Commissioner Corsi thanked speakers and said the board would forward a draft resolution to the county solicitor for review before returning it for board consideration. He said the issue transcended party lines and urged organized civic participation. The chairman indicated the board would follow its usual committee and resolution review processes; several commissioners said they expected to support a resolution once legal review and any edits were complete.

No formal board resolution or vote was taken at the meeting; the public-comment period closed by motion after testimony.