Protect The Care
New Jersey
Seniors Deserve
50,000 seniors. 100,000 workers.
One essential system.
New Jersey’s nursing homes provide around-the-clock care for those who need it most.
But Medicaid—the primary payer—covers only 82–86% of the actual cost of care.
In New Jersey, Medicaid reimbursement rates average up to 30% lower than those in nearby states.
The gap is real, and it’s growing.
It’s time to close it.
Because funding equals care.
Stay informed on New Jersey's nursing homes
The Reality Facing Nursing homes
Behind each data point is a mother, a grandfather, a neighbor – someone who deserves dignity, safety, and compassion in the final chapters of life.
3 out of 4 nursing home residents rely on Medicaid to afford care
Medicaid pays only 82% of what it actually costs to provide that care
Seniors who need nursing home care spend too much time in hospitals when nursing home beds are not available
The senior population is exploding, up 31% since 2010
Nursing homes cannot compete for quality staffing unless payment rates reflect realistic costs
This isn't Just a budget issue. It's a Human Issue.
The Problem:
Within the next decade, the population of New Jerseyans age 85+ is projected to grow by 44%, yet New Jersey’s Medicaid rates remain well below those in neighboring states.
These numbers have real-world consequences. When reimbursement lags so far behind real costs:
- Nursing homes struggle to compete for staff, as registered nurses earn $10–$15 less per hour than their hospital counterparts.
- Chronic staffing shortages limit admissions and leave hospital patients waiting for nursing home beds, driving up costs across the entire health care system.
- Facilities delay critical infrastructure upgrades that support infection control, safety, and quality of life.
The Problem:
When Nursing homes are underfunded, everyone pays
When Medicaid funding falls short, the consequences are felt everywhere. Seniors face delays, stress, and reduced care. Families take on more, and pay the price in burnout, lost income, and emotional strain. Funding isn’t about budgets – its about people.
The Solution:
Funding = Quality Care
We are calling on state leaders to take action in this legislative session to:
Provide Medicaid funding that covers the true cost of quality care, closing the 30% gap compared to surrounding states and ensuring financial stability for nursing homes across New Jersey.
Create a fair Medicaid reimbursement system that aligns with State policy priorities, gives facilities predictable funding, and clearly shows how taxpayer dollars are used.
Foster a collaborative relationship with state regulators based on quality, shared accountability, and a focus on resident outcomes.
Implement smart regulatory reform to eliminate outdated or duplicative requirements, freeing staff time and resources to focus on residents who need care most.
Long term care is not a budget line item.
It is a lifeline.
With New Jersey’s 2026 budget cycle and a new administration, now is the time to reset the conversation and build a stronger future for long term care. It’s not about blame, it’s about building something better for the future.
We believe that:
Long term care is essential healthcare infrastructure — as critical to New Jersey’s system as hospitals, clinics, and emergency services
Funding must reflect the actual cost of care, or quality and access will suffer
A fair, predictable Medicaid methodology is not a special interest — it is a prerequisite for a functioning system
The caregivers, residents, and families who depend on long term care deserve a state that treats this sector as the priority it is
Take Action. Add Your Voice.
Tell Decision-Makers Where You Stand.
I believe New Jersey’s nursing homes are essential to our state’s healthcare system. Our Medicaid funding gap is growing — and residents, workers, and families are paying the price. I support fair funding that reflects the true cost of care, because New Jersey’s most vulnerable deserve nothing less.
Signatures will be formally presented to policymakers during the 2026 budget reconciliation process.
Learn More About the Issues Facing Our Seniors
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Celebrating a Century: Cecilia’s Story
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Every day, more New Jersey families are learning just how fragile our long-term care system has become. As our population ages, the need for his quality nursing home care is growing rapidly-but the funding to support it has not kept up.
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