New Jerseyans Rally Against One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) Healthcare Cuts Outside of Congressman Van Drew’s Office

NORTHFIELD – On July 17, 2025, a rally hosted by the Not 0ne More NJ campaign outside of the Northfield office of Congressman Van Drew brought together a crowd of over one hundred New Jerseyans concerned about impending One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) cuts to Medicaid and healthcare.

Organizers and rally attendees voiced concern that the funding cuts and new administrative red tape outlined in the law will cause significant adverse health effects in the state, especially for seniors, children, people with disabilities, those affected by the overdose crisis, and those living in New Jersey’s rural South Jersey counties.

“I found myself with Hepatitis C and without medical insurance. Both my physical health and mental health were failing me. I was fortunate enough to be eligible for Medicaid expansion which gave me the opportunities to address both major issues. It is a scary thought that many people struggle with health issues, just to have Medicaid cut especially when they really need it,” said Jody Stewart (Little Egg Harbor, CD-2).

“We’ve met with Congressman Van Drew’s staff twice. Both times, we were told he understands how critical Medicaid is. But this legislation doesn’t go after fraud or waste at the top. It goes after us: everyday people trying to stay in recovery, stay working, and stay alive. Ask anyone who’s been in active substance use: is that what “able-bodied” looks like? The grip of addiction is debilitating, physically, mentally, and spiritually, yet this bill bypasses crucial definitions of what “able-bodied” really means. It’s not just careless. It’s dangerous,” said Kim Maurer (Atlantic City, CD-2).

Congressman Van Drew (CD-2) was one of only three New Jersey Representatives to vote in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which state health officials estimate will result in around 350,000 New Jerseyans losing coverage under NJ FamilyCare, as well as a loss of $3.3 billion per year in hospital and public health funding. Those covered under New Jersey’s health insurance marketplace will also see their monthly premiums increase: 88% of those enrolled via Get Covered NJ, or more than 450,000, may face price hikes averaging 110% annually.

Nationally, people on Medicaid are more likely than those on commercial insurance to live with a substance use disorder: 21% of Medicaid users had some form of substance use disorder compared to 16% of commercially insured Americans.

“Life has its ups and downs, and no one expects to be out of a job due to an illness or death in the family. When I lost my job and health insurance, I did everything I could think of to get health insurance for my family. My son was suffering from a substance use disorder and had already overdosed four times when I was finally able to get him on Medicaid. Once he got Medicaid, we were able to get him into a treatment center. My son is alive and working today, and is able to be a father to his five year old daughter, all because he had Medicaid,” said Judy Deblois (Manahawkin, CD-2).

“Having Medicaid while I was actively using helped save my life until I could find recovery. In early recovery, I was on Medicaid, and got all the check ups, bloodwork, and mental health care that I needed to start my life in recovery from substance use disorder,” said Caitland Carter (Ventnor City, CD-2).