Statement of

Ann Twomey, President

On Appointments to Lead Department of Human Services and Department of Children and Families

Today Governor-Elect Phil Murphy announced his picks to lead the Department of Human Services and Department of Children and Families. HPAE, New Jersey’s largest healthcare union, is hopeful that Johnson and Norbut Beyer will lead their respective departments with a detailed and transparent approach. These two departments account for nearly $20 billion in spending and over 17,000 jobs. It is imperative that each department is run efficiently and effectively to deliver services to New Jersey residents that are our most vulnerable. As we face the potential for cuts to Medicaid funding from the federal government, New Jersey will have to step up to provide care and resources to hundreds of thousands of residents that depend on them. HPAE looks forward to being a partner with Carole Johnson and Christine Norbut Beyer to ensure patients and employees are protected.

HPAE is the largest union of registered nurses and health care professionals in New Jersey. Since its founding by Englewood Hospital nurses in 1974, HPAE has expanded across the state and into Southeastern Pennsylvania representing 13,000 nurses, social workers, therapists, technicians, medical researchers, and other health care professionals in hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, blood banks, and university research facilities.  HPAE is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.