Chairman Stack, Vice Chair Singleton, and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to be here today.

I am honored to be considered for confirmation as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, and I am grateful to Governor Sherrill and Lieutenant Governor Caldwell for their trust.

I come to this role after many years in public service, working in large, complex health and human services systems.

I also bring the perspective as a primary care physician who served in a homeless shelter.

Every Tuesday evening, for 13 years, I saw the critical role that Medicaid and other programs play in the lives of people.

The Department of Human Services is the largest in the state, employing well over 7,000 individuals. 

We administer some of New Jersey’s most important programs, including NJ FamilyCare, SNAP, services for older adults and people with disabilities, behavioral health care, child care, and child support.

These programs serve millions of residents and are central to health, food security, and affordability.

It is not a collection of abstract policies.

It is truly Human Services.

We provide literal lifelines, through 988, 844-ReachNJ, StopOverdoses.nj.gov and other behavioral health programs.

We help people put food on the table, through our SNAP program.

We support independence, through a wide range of programs serving older adults and people with disabilities.

We connect people to health care through NJ Family Care.

As a physician, I wanted to lead this department because I know - through all of these programs - our work here in Human Services saves lives.

As you all know, the rapid change in federal policies and funding is creating incredible challenges for the people we serve. 

Due to HR1, we could face hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans losing health coverage, as well as the billions of dollars in funding that comes with that coverage. 

Billions more in lost revenue for our providers.

Hundreds of millions of dollars in cost shifts from the federal government to the state and to our counties for SNAP administrative fees.

HR1 was not our choice here in New Jersey.

But how we respond to these challenges is our choice. 

And we cannot simply continue as is.

We have to evolve together to meet these challenges.

If I am confirmed, my immediate priority for the next six months will be program integrity and stability. 

I will be laser focused on eligibility and enrollment systems in Medicaid and SNAP and adapting to the challenges of HR1.

HR1’s cuts heap red tape on people and dare them to jump through all the hoops. 

We have to do more to help people who are eligible for coverage, keep their coverage.

That starts with strong leadership and solid operations.

Eligibility decisions must be timely and accurate.

Renewals must be handled efficiently, with as much automation as humanly possible.

Communications must be clear and easy to understand.

Next, we need to consider other system changes. 

Are there transformation and value pathways that could help us collectively weather these coming storms.

These are conversations we all need to have together.

And we need strong program integrity to adapt to these coming storms.

Vigilant oversight of public funds is essential.

Given all these cuts coming, we cannot spare a dime to waste, fraud and abuse.

Let me be clear. 

Program integrity is not cutting off people who are rightfully eligible for coverage, as HR 1 does. 

But I believe we can and must continue to root out waste, fraud, and abuse. 

By modernizing our data systems. 

By increasing transparency. 

By working closely with partners - Treasury, the Attorney General, the Governor’s Office, our provider and managed care partners, and yourselves as the Legislature - to manage risk and protect the state budget and taxpayers.

Accountability and compassion must go hand in hand.

This is especially true for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where safety is non-negotiable.

Human Services must actively prevent abuse and neglect through strong oversight, timely investigations, clear standards, transparent communications, and close coordination with our partners, using all the tools at hand.

Our goal is safer environments and better outcomes for the people we serve.

In these difficult times, this commitment to support people also extends to immigrant communities across our state.

Through the Office of New Americans, Human Services works to ensure that immigrants and refugees can access critical services, understand their rights, and connect to trusted resources in their communities.

Especially amid heightened uncertainty and fear created by federal immigration policies, it is essential that New Jersey remains a place where families know their rights and feel safe seeking help.

Where eligible residents can access services without intimidation, and where dignity and inclusion remain core values of how we deliver human services.

These priorities reflect the Sherrill–Caldwell Administration’s vision for Human Services: a Department that is professional, ethical, and fiscally responsible. 

A department always focused on the people we serve.

A department centered on delivering essential services with dignity and respect.

I am committed to listening and learning.

I will spend time across the state, meeting with the people we serve, families, providers, advocates, counties, and partner agencies.

I will reinforce a clear commitment to supporting our workforce, and open, transparent engagement.

Human Services is a large and complex agency, but in my short time at the agency already, I’ve been blown away by our greatest strength: our people, the public servants and advocates who show up every day to help others and are committed to the people we serve, and I thank Commissioner Sarah Adelman for building such a strong organization.

And I am committed to working constructively with this Legislature.

Transparency and communication are essential, especially during times of federal uncertainty.

I served as staff in another legislative body for six years—I know how hard your jobs can be and how important partnerships between branches of government are.

I look forward to working with you to protect essential programs, safeguard access to health care and food assistance, support families and caregivers, and ensure that the Department is managed with professionalism, integrity, and care.

If confirmed, I will work every day to ensure that Human Services is accountable to taxpayers, responsive to residents, and worthy of the trust placed in us.

Thank you for your consideration.

I look forward to your questions and to continuing to serve the people of New Jersey.