A new report from Public Citizen warns that 12 New Jersey hospitals could face growing financial pressure tied to federal public health funding reductions included in President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
For communities across Hudson and Essex counties—where many families rely on Medicaid and community-based care—the concern is especially significant. The law is projected to cut Medicaid and CHIP spending by $911 billion over the next decade, while New Jersey officials estimate that these new requirements could leave roughly 300,000 residents without coverage.
Hospitals identified as most vulnerable tend to serve higher percentages of Black, Hispanic, and low-income patients while already operating on thin or negative margins. Health leaders warn that even without immediate closures, the strain could lead to service reductions, staffing cuts, and added pressure on already fragile local healthcare systems—potentially affecting access to care, jobs, and neighborhood economies throughout North Jersey.