By Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul

We introduced legislation this month to make up for some of the federal cuts to community-based healthcare organizations and service providers, and to support community college students impacted by federal education funding reductions for Community College Opportunity Grants.

The first of these bills would establish the Health Equity Access and Leadership (HEAL) Fund, appropriating $25 million to help make up for some of the medical care funding cuts we are seeing. The decision to cut federal funding to Medicaid is going to put a strain on our hospitals which in turn strains the healthcare system for everyone. The HEAL money will be used to support a range of healthcare initiatives. 

Federal cuts, especially to Medicaid, and other essential programs hurt the most vulnerable residents,  the underserved or underinsured patients. Without support from the Health Care Subsidy Fund, many of these residents would go without care or rely on hospital emergency rooms for basic healthcare, which makes the system more expensive and less effective for everyone.

Our legislation calls on the state Commissioner of Health to distribute competitive grants to community-based healthcare organizations and service providers that provide essential healthcare services. The grants are to be distributed to applicants who have not received revenue from a federal funding source in the 12 months prior to submitting an application. 

Another of the bills we introduced this month makes a supplemental appropriation of $1.2 million for Community College Opportunity Grants to restore some of the money the federal government has taken away. Community College Opportunity Grants represents New Jersey’s commitment to offering tuition-free community college. Eligibility for the grants is based on income, enabling students who could not afford tuition and other costs to pursue their first associate degree tuition-free at a New Jersey community college. 

The CCOG covers the cost of tuition and approved fees that are not covered by state, federal, or any other need-based grant or merit scholarship, for up to 18 credits a semester. Eligible students must be enrolled in at least six credits and show satisfactory academic progress. The grants are not available to students who already have a college degree, or any additional tuition and fees charged to out-of-county students. 

With Thanksgiving here, we also have some good news for farmers.  

The governor has signed our legislation into law allowing the courts to award commercial farmers reasonable costs and attorney fees for defending against bad faith complaints under the "Right to Farm Act". Housing developments near farms sometimes result in conflicts with new residents. But we need our farmers. No farmers - no food. Already working on very low profit margins that have been hit hard by federal tariffs, farmers deserve protection from frivolous lawsuits that threaten their profitability and their ability to stay in business.

We urge everyone to visit a local farm or farm market over the holidays and to support New Jersey farmers.

Have a happy, healthy, and joyful Thanksgiving.

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