1199SEIU caregivers are organizing to improve quality care for New Jersey’s elderly and disabled population by advocating for increased Medicaid funding for nursing homes. Over 40,000 New Jersey residents receive round-the-clock nursing home care, and two thirds of them rely on Medicaid to cover the costs.

New Jersey’s nursing homes are chronically underfunded, which often leads to poor staffing levels, low wages and benefits, and high-turnover among frontline caregivers. 1199 members say that insufficient Medicaid funding is making these problems worse, jeopardizing the care patients need.

That’s why 1199ers are making their voices heard at budget hearings across the state, speaking to legislators about the importance of ensuring that nursing facilities have the necessary resources to deliver the best care.

On February 18, three 1199SEIU members— Marjorie Barnett, Paulette Johnson, and Ruth Lewis—who work as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) at Regency Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, attended the Assembly Budget Committee’s hearing in Trenton to show their support for this cause.

“I usually work the night shift, where I’m responsible for between 20 to 23 residents,” Paulette testified to the committee. “The dilemma we face in our line of work is that we simply cannot cut corners. We have to make sure that each of our residents’ needs are met, which can be a daunting task.”

Halina Kulesza, an 1199 member at Cinnaminson Center, spoke at the Senate Budget Committee’s hearing on February 19. Halina is one of the most experienced frontline caregivers at her facility, having worked there for the past 23 years as a CNA and restorative aide.

“Over the course of my career, I have witnessed how nursing homes have changed,” she said. “We now care for residents who are very sick and who need more personal assistance throughout the day. This has made our jobs much more challenging. Nursing homes need more funding to adapt to these changes.”

Over the next several weeks, 1199 members will continue to speak out publicly and meet with legislators about the need to improve nursing home funding so that caregivers have the resources to provide every resident with the excellent personal care and attention they deserve.