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NJ human services chief warns Congress’ proposed Medicaid/SNAP cuts could force billions in state cuts; budget keeps investments under current law
Summary
Commissioner Sarah Edelman told the Assembly budget committee that congressional proposals to cut Medicaid and SNAP could cost New Jersey $2–$10 billion a year, but the governor’s FY2026 plan assumes current federal law and includes targeted investments in primary care rates, workforce wages and the 988 crisis system. The department urged lawmakers to oppose federal rollbacks.
Commissioner Sarah Edelman of the New Jersey Department of Human Services told the Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee that the governor’s proposed FY2026 human services budget is built on current federal rules, and warned that pending congressional proposals to trim Medicaid and SNAP would force painful statewide cuts if enacted.
In an opening statement, Edelman said congressional proposals under discussion seek roughly $880 billion in Medicaid savings and $230 billion in food‑program savings over 10 years and that, depending on the package enacted, New Jersey could lose an estimated $2 billion to $10 billion in federal Medicaid funding annually. She said New Jersey Medicaid is a roughly $24 billion program composed of about $14 billion in federal funds and $10 billion in state funds.
The governor’s proposal does not assume those federal cuts, Edelman said; instead it…
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