Urgent Call to Action: Submit Testimony to Ensure Full Funding for NJ's Medicaid Palliative Care Program

Dear Members and Followers,

The Goals of Care Coalition of New Jersey (GOCC) is asking for your support and voice to ensure that NJ follows through on its commitment to provide Medicaid-covered community-based palliative care for individuals living with serious illness.

Here is the information they sent to be shared with you:

The FY 2026 state budget must include adequate funding to fully implement the new Medicaid palliative care program—a program mandated by the Legislature but now at risk of being underfunded due to budget constraints.

Why Your Testimony Matters

 Lawmakers in NJ unanimously supported the creation of a Medicaid palliative care program, recognizing that it improves quality of life, reduces suffering, and saves money by reducing avoidable ED visits and hospitalizations. Now, we must ensure they follow through with sufficient funding to make the program a success.

• Palliative care reduces healthcare costs by preventing unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency visits. A well-funded program will yield significant cost savings for the state over time.
• A strong launch is essential—if we underfund the program at the outset, we risk a limited, underutilized model that is mistaken for hospice rather than a comprehensive, patient-centered approach for those LIVING with serious illness.
• We can address capacity while building demand. If we scale back funding due to workforce concerns, we will limit access, suppress demand, and ultimately undermine the program’s long-term viability.
• Every major health system in NJ supports palliative care, but without proper funding, Medicaid patients will continue to be left behind.

 How You Can Help

 We need as many individuals and organizations as possible to submit written testimony to the NJ Senate and Assembly Budget & Appropriations Committees urging lawmakers to fully fund the Medicaid Palliative Care Program in the FY 2026 budget.

Submit Your Testimony before March 25, 2025.

1. Write your testimony (we’ve provided key points below and a sample letter attached—feel free to personalize).
2. Submit to both the Senate and Assembly Budget & Appropriations Committee:
• Senate:  email SBABudgetHearings@njleg.org or mail your testimony to the Legislative Budget and Finance Office, State House Annex, P.O. Box 068, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0068.
• Assembly: email ABUBudgetHearings@njleg.org or mail your testimony to the Legislative Budget and Finance Office, State House Annex, P.O. Box 068, Trenton, New Jersey 08625- 0068.
3. CC: Goals of Care Coalition of NJ at lfeldstein@goalsofcare.org so we can track submissions.

Key Points to Include in Your Testimony:

• Thank legislators for supporting the palliative care mandate and urge them to now fund it adequately.
• Emphasize the cost-effectiveness of palliative care in reducing expensive, avoidable hospitalizations;  this program, if done right, will save the state money!
• Stress the need for robust implementation plan and a strong launch—starting small risks mislabeling the program as end-of-life care, limiting participation and preventing long-term success.
• Call for sufficient provider reimbursement to ensure health systems/providers participate and deliver high-quality care.
• Include a personal story to demonstrate how palliative care can impact a patient’s life and the lives of their caregivers

Together, We Can Make a Difference

We cannot afford to let this program be underfunded before it even begins. Please take 10 minutes to submit your testimony and help us ensure that NJ’s most vulnerable residents living with serious illness get the care they need and no less, and the care they want and no more!

Please reach out with any questions and thank you for your advocacy and commitment.

 Lori Feldstein

CEO & Executive Director

Goals of Care Coalition of New Jersey

(609) 468-4882

Lfeldstein@goalsofcare.org