500,000 NJ residents could lose Medicaid coverage under Trump, think tank says

If President-elect Donald Trump's plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act includes a reversal of the expansion of Medicaid, residents all over New Jersey -- be they in the state's largest cities and urban areas or more affluent counties -- could be at risk of losing their health insurance.

NJ.com reported that an analysis of census and income data by the think tank New Jersey Policy Perspective found almost a half-million New Jerseyans of adult, working age might be affected. That number includes those who previously did not make enough to buy private insurance but made too much to be Medicaid-eligible before Obamacare took effect.

The number effectively equates to one-tenth of the state's eligible workforce, according to the report.

About a third of the people who gained Medicaid coverage under Obamacare live in 10 of New Jersey's most prominent cities, the report said:

• Newark
• Jersey City
• Paterson
• Camden
• Elizabeth
• Lakewood
• Passaic
• Trenton
• East Orange
• Union

However, no region is immune. NJPP's table shows even in the state's least-affected county, Hunterdon, 3,100 residents could still stand to lose health coverage -- among them, some 800 parents.

Two-thirds of those at risk, according to the NJ.com report, are either currently working or live in a household where someone is working.

The report also cited an official with the New Jersey Hospital Association who speculated that some medical facilities might not be able to survive the losses in insurance, with hospitals no longer being able to rely on ER patients at least having Medicaid.

Patrick Lavery produces "New Jersey's First News" and is New Jersey 101.5's morning drive breaking news reporter. Follow him on Twitter @plavery1015 or email patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com.

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