The storm had already caused widespread flooding, downed trees, power outages and major travel disruptions across the region. The National Weather Service said the system would continue producing coastal flooding and heavy rain through Monday before conditions gradually improve.

At least one person died in New York City after a falling tree struck a 56-year-old man in Brooklyn on Saturday. The New York City Housing Authority identified the victim as an employee of the agency.

Flooding remains the main concern

The nor’easter has repeatedly pushed seawater toward vulnerable coastal communities while high tides have amplified the flooding.

In parts of New Jersey, water covered streets and entered businesses and homes. The National Weather Service warned that another round of coastal flooding could occur as high tides continued through the storm’s slow retreat.

The storm’s timing also coincided with unusually high tides associated with the full moon, increasing the amount of water pushed onto coastal areas. Forecasters said moderate inundation remained possible from the Jersey Shore northward toward the Massachusetts coast.

The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said strong wind gusts of up to 40 to 50 mph remained possible from New Jersey to Long Island, while heavy rain could produce additional inland flooding from northern New Jersey into southern New England.

In southern New England, the Boston/Norton forecast office said winds had eased but windswept rain, minor coastal flooding and beach erosion would continue into Monday. Localized urban and street flooding remained possible.

A slow-moving storm keeps the Northeast under pressure

Unlike a fast-moving storm that passes within several hours, this nor’easter has remained near the coast for an extended period.

The National Weather Service said the low-pressure system had moved toward the New Jersey coastline and was expected to weaken while slowly shifting back toward southern New England before moving away Monday night.

That prolonged circulation has allowed repeated periods of rain and coastal impacts.

Southern New England was expected to receive additional bands of moderate to heavy rain, with localized flash flooding possible in urban areas, roads and other places where drainage is already strained.

Forecasters said the most severe winds were already easing, but saturated ground and trees still carrying leaves could increase the risk of additional tree damage and power outages.

Power and travel disrupted

The storm knocked out electricity to tens of thousands of customers across the Northeast, with outages exceeding 100,000 during the weekend. Power disruptions were reported across parts of New Jersey, New York and New England.

Strong winds also brought down trees and utility lines.

In New York City, authorities reported hundreds of downed trees by Sunday morning. The falling-tree death in Brooklyn underscored the danger posed by prolonged winds in heavily populated areas.

Air travel was also disrupted.

Hundreds of flights were canceled and thousands delayed during the weekend as airports across the Northeast dealt with wind, rain and deteriorating conditions. Boston Logan International Airport experienced particularly significant disruption.

Road travel was affected by flooding, debris and slick conditions along portions of the Interstate 95 corridor and other major routes.

Dangerous surf stretches along the coast

The storm has also produced large waves, strong rip currents and significant beach erosion along the Atlantic coast.

Buoys recorded waves of 16 feet or more off portions of the Jersey Shore and southern New England during the storm.

The National Weather Service warned that dangerous surf and rip currents could continue from the Carolinas through the Mid-Atlantic and into southern New England.

Coastal flooding has been particularly difficult for communities where roads, homes, businesses and other infrastructure sit only slightly above normal high-water levels.

Conditions expected to improve

The storm is expected to gradually lose strength as it moves away from the Northeast.

The Boston/Norton National Weather Service office said rain should taper Monday night, with some showers potentially continuing into early Tuesday in eastern Massachusetts. It expects a marked improvement by Tuesday.

The Weather Prediction Center likewise said the nor’easter would continue producing impacts through Monday before the system weakens and moves northeastward toward the Gulf of Maine.

That does not mean all flooding will immediately disappear.

Water levels can remain elevated through successive high-tide cycles, while saturated ground can continue producing localized flooding after the heaviest rain has ended.

For communities along the Northeast coast, the immediate concern is therefore shifting from the storm’s strongest winds toward the remaining high tides, rain and flooding as the system finally pulls away.

Reporting Credit: National Weather Service / NOAA — storm track, coastal-flooding, rainfall and wind forecasts; National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center — regional forecast and hazard assessment; National Weather Service Boston/Norton — southern New England forecast and flood impacts; New York City Office of Emergency Management and New York City Housing Authority — New York City storm impacts and fatality information.

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Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the measure into law Tuesday, establishing a new assessment on larger employers whose workers and their dependents receive Medicaid coverage instead of employer-sponsored insurance. State officials included an estimated $145 million in anticipated revenue from the program in the fiscal year budget approved earlier this week.

The policy reflects broader concerns among several Democratic-led states about Medicaid financing following recent federal policy changes that are expected to increase state spending obligations and affect insurance coverage for millions of Americans.

Medicaid is jointly funded by federal and state governments and provides health coverage for eligible low-income individuals and families. State leaders argue that employers whose workforces rely heavily on the program benefit from taxpayer-funded healthcare without bearing the full cost through employer-sponsored insurance.

New Employer Assessment Takes Effect

Under New Jersey’s new law, employers with at least 50 workers or covered dependents enrolled in Medicaid will be required to pay an annual assessment based on the number of beneficiaries associated with their workforce.

The fee begins at $325 per covered individual for employers with between 50 and 249 Medicaid beneficiaries and rises to as much as $725 per person annually for employers with at least 500 beneficiaries.

State lawmakers designed the measure to generate additional funding for Medicaid while attempting to limit unintended employment consequences. The legislation exempts temporary, seasonal and part-time workers from the assessment and prohibits employers from making hiring, firing or other employment decisions based on an individual’s Medicaid enrollment.

Federal Policy Changes Shape State Decisions

New Jersey’s action comes as several other states examine similar approaches to financing Medicaid amid shifting federal requirements.

In California, lawmakers approved legislation directing the state administration to develop options for a comparable employer assessment next year, although no immediate fee has been enacted. The proposal follows concerns that federal Medicaid policy changes signed into law by President Donald Trump could increase financial pressure on state healthcare programs.

California State Sen. John Laird, who sponsored the legislation, argued that employers offering health insurance should not shoulder additional tax burdens while some larger companies benefit from employees relying on publicly funded coverage.

The Congressional Budget Office has projected that more than 10 million people could become uninsured by 2034 under the federal law. Among its provisions are work, education or volunteer activity requirements for certain Medicaid beneficiaries, along with expanded documentation requirements to demonstrate eligibility. The budget office’s estimate has become part of the debate over how states may finance Medicaid in the coming years.

Beyond California, lawmakers in Colorado and Oregon approved similar proposals in one legislative chamber during the most recent session, although neither measure ultimately became law. Comparable legislation was also introduced in Washington state, while Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed incorporating an employer assessment into a future state budget.

Business Groups Raise Concerns

Business organizations have criticized New Jersey’s approach, arguing that employers may be charged even when workers voluntarily choose Medicaid over an available employer-sponsored health plan.

Christopher Emigholz, chief government affairs officer for the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, said in a statement that employers could be penalized for decisions outside their control if employees decline workplace health coverage in favor of Medicaid.

Opponents contend the additional assessment could increase operating costs for businesses already managing higher labor and healthcare expenses.

Some Policy Advocates Warn of Unintended Effects

Opposition has also emerged from some left-leaning policy organizations that generally support Medicaid expansion.

Gideon Lukens, a health policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said the assessment could unintentionally influence hiring decisions involving workers from lower-income households or single-parent families. He also warned that some individuals might avoid enrolling in Medicaid if they believe doing so could affect employment opportunities.

Lukens said taxes or fees tied to a particular activity often create incentives to reduce the behavior being taxed, raising concerns about possible unintended labor market effects.

New Jersey’s legislation attempts to address those concerns by explicitly prohibiting employment decisions based on Medicaid enrollment status.

Similar Policies Have Been Tried Before

Employer assessments linked to Medicaid participation are not new, although previous efforts have had mixed outcomes.

Massachusetts introduced a similar employer fee in 2018 that applied to certain workers covered through Medicaid or a state-subsidized health insurance exchange. The program expired the following year and was not renewed.

Maryland pursued an earlier version of the policy in 2006 that primarily affected Walmart. An industry challenge ultimately halted the measure after a federal court ruled that it conflicted with federal law governing self-insured employee health plans.

Supporters of more recent proposals believe newer legislative approaches may avoid those legal issues by structuring employer assessments differently and avoiding references to self-insured health plans.

As states continue evaluating how to finance Medicaid amid changing federal requirements, New Jersey’s new employer assessment is likely to remain closely watched by policymakers weighing similar strategies elsewhere.

Tags: Medicaid, New Jersey, Healthcare Policy, Employer Health Coverage, Medicaid Funding, Public Health Financing, California Legislature, Congressional Budget Office, Gov. Mikie Sherrill, Employer Assessment, Health Insurance, State Budgets,

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