New Jerseyans affected by cuts to healthcare share their stories and educate local community leaders on what they can do about rising healthcare costs.
EGG HARBOR CITY – On March 23rd, 2026, the ACA’s 16th birthday, members of New Jersey Resource Project presented information about the rising costs of healthcare and what community members can do about it. Their first healthcare teach-in was hosted on Monday, in the hall of the local teachers union, the Atlantic County Council of Education Associations, in Egg Harbor City. Part education, part conversation, the goal was to prepare attendees to take the workshop into their own communities in order to foster discussion about affordable healthcare.
Since the 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act, the number of uninsured Americans fell to historic lows, and consumers gained protections against discrimination from pre-existing coverage, according to Healthcare for America Now. They also report that in 2026, millions more Americans are paying higher costs for insurance or, worse, losing their coverage under The “Big Beautiful Bill,” President Trump’s signature legislative accomplishment.
Tax credits to help individuals pay their ACA premiums have been available since 2014 and were expanded in 2021, according to Congress. In 2025, about 90% of ACA enrollees received a premium tax credit to lower their costs. ACA Premium Tax Credits were a point of contention in the recent government shutdown, but were not extended past January 1st, 2026. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates the average enrollee will see their premium more than double as a result. We are already seeing this in our communities.
“If we take the Affordable Care Act (ACA) out of the equation, it becomes a juggling act; missing meals, choosing between food and care,” said Mike Ortiz of Ventnor. Access to Medicaid allowed him to earn his degree and current job, and now he gets insurance through the Affordable Care Act. “As of December 31st, Aetna is no longer covering individuals through the marketplace, and premiums are going up for other plans exponentially. The premium for insurance through my employer was over double what I was paying (on the Marketplace). My need for health insurance is of such a nature that it becomes essential… If we lose the ACA, my fears of my premiums rising and my coverage lowering becomes a reality.”
“While regular New Jerseyans are forced to choose between feeding their family and getting the healthcare they need, CEOs of major healthcare corporations are getting bonuses and tax breaks. We need to hold our elected officials accountable for voting against the ACA premium tax credits and causing the crisis we are in.” said Alice Carcilli from Brigantine.
Attendees left the event with an understanding of the current state of healthcare and how to relay it to others in a way that invites discussion rather than division. They were invited to share their own stories about accessing healthcare, and given resources to take action.
The New Jersey Resource Project is hosting these conversations to make sure that everyday people know why their healthcare costs are going up. “16 years after the passing of the Affordable Care Act, New Jerseyans should not be paying twice as much for their premiums as in 2025. By empowering community leaders and directly affected people, we can point our anger in the right direction: not at each other, but at those who continue to profit off of our pain.” said Eva Mancini, New Jersey Resource Project staff member and Galloway resident.
Community members interested in inviting NJRP to join them should email info@newjerseyop.orgcreate new email or call/text 609-225-4890.