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Essex County commissioners adopt resolution opposing proposed federal Medicaid cuts
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution opposing proposed federal Medicaid reductions that county officials and advocates said would shift costs to states and harm residents who rely on Medicaid and related programs.
The Essex County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution opposing proposed federal reductions to Medicaid and related programs, saying the cuts would shift costs to states and jeopardize coverage for many residents.
Commissioner Brendan Gill, who introduced the resolution, told the board the federal proposals would force counties and states to absorb costs. "We are in a constitutional crisis," Gill said, arguing county services would be strained if the cuts proceed. He told commissioners that many residents — including seniors and those using SNAP and other supports — depend on the programs targeted by the federal budget proposals.
Andrew Sprung, co-chair of Blue Wave New Jersey's Health Care Committee, urged the board to send a message to the county's congressional delegation and summarized Congressional Budget Office estimates. "If they succeed, they will ultimately strip coverage from most or all of the 21 million low-income adults insured through the ACA Medicaid expansion, including 550,000 in New Jersey, 70,000 of them in Essex County," Sprung said during public comment, citing the CBO's figures as he urged local action.
Montclair resident Eric Benson, a public speaker during the matter, said cuts would harm local services and asked officials to consider the downstream effects on county programs, parks and schools. "When the state doesn't have the money, they're passing it down," Benson said, describing the local consequences of reduced federal support.
Noor Kalyonju, executive director of Family Service League, also addressed the board during general public comment and urged commissioners to protect community funding that supports survivors and mental-health services. She told the board the nonprofit delivered more than 6,500 counseling sessions in 2024 and that 81% of the group's funding comes from pass-through state or county dollars.
The board voted to adopt the resolution on a roll call vote; the measure passed with all commissioners present voting yes and two commissioners recorded absent. Commissioners framed the action as a public statement urging federal lawmakers not to implement the proposed cuts, and county staff said the resolution will be circulated to the county's congressional delegation.
The adoption was a policy statement; no change to county law or budget was enacted at the meeting. The board noted further outreach will occur through the executive branch and communications to New Jersey's federal representatives.
