July 3, 2025: NJHA President and CEO Cathy Bennett on Passage of H.R. 1 – the One Big Beautiful Bill

The passage of H.R. 1 – the One Big Beautiful Bill – represents a devastating step backward for healthcare. Nearly $1 trillion in proposed Medicaid cuts will have irreversible consequences for patients, communities and hospitals across New Jersey and the nation. Hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans will lose their healthcare coverage. Further consequences include healthcare job losses, service cuts, emergency department overcrowding and the very real risk of hospital closures – jeopardizing access to care for everyone, not just Medicaid recipients. N.J. hospitals remain deeply committed to caring for all members of the community, but they cannot do it alone.