Arc Mercer Joins Medicaid Roundtable on Future of Funding

Arc Mercer Executive Director Steve Cook and Board President Maria Fischer recently joined Sharon Levine, Senior Director of Governmental Affairs and Communications at The Arc of New Jersey, at a Medicaid Roundtable hosted by Congressman Dr. Herb Conaway.

The event, held at the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center in Hamilton, brought together patients, providers, and key stakeholders to discuss the critical impact of potential Medicaid funding cuts under the proposed One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB).

Opening remarks were delivered by Lisa Breza, CAO of RWJ Hamilton, followed by Congressman Conaway, who set the tone for a candid and collaborative discussion. New Jersey Commissioner of Health Sarah Adelman and Mercer County Executive Dan Benson were among the prominent voices at the table, alongside leaders from healthcare and advocacy organizations.

Arc Mercer was proud to have strong representation in the room. Steve Cook and Maria Fischer both spoke to the essential role Medicaid plays in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community. Sharon Levine echoed these concerns, later sharing her appreciation for Arc Mercer’s presence at the table:

“It was wonderful advocating alongside [The Arc Mercer].... [Steve and Maria] did an excellent job conveying the importance of our message, and I always believe that advocating with decision-makers is time well spent.”

The roundtable closed with a shared understanding that while the challenges ahead are significant, advocacy remains a powerful tool to protect the rights and resources of people with disabilities and their families.

Arc Mercer has long been advocating and ensuring that the concerns of individuals with disabilities and their families are represented in key policy conversations. By being at the table with decision-makers, the agency continues to influence the future of services and supports that thousands of families in New Jersey rely on.

The discussion ended with a shared commitment from all stakeholders: protecting Medicaid and the people whose lives depend on it must remain a priority. Arc Mercer will continue to lead with determination, making sure the voices of the individuals we serve are heard loud and clear.

If you believe Medicaid services are essential to the well-being of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), now is the time to speak up. 

How You Can Help

If you believe Medicaid services are essential to the well-being of individuals with IDD, now is the time to speak up. Advocacy works best when voices are raised together.

Contact your local representatives today:

1. Visit USA.gov’s “Contact Your Elected Officials” tool.

2. Enter your ZIP code to find your federal, state, and local representatives.

3. Call, email, or write to your elected officials and let them know why protecting Medicaid matters to you, your family, and your community.

Your voice matters. Together, we can protect Medicaid and the future of disability services in New Jersey.