Disability rights advocates rallied at the state house in Trenton earlier today, speaking out against potential cuts to Medicaid that have been teed up in a recently approved House GOP budget plan.

The federal program covers health insurance costs for nearly 2 million New Jersey residents, many of whom are among the most vulnerable, poor, disabled or living in nursing homes.

Those protesting today told Raven Santana any cuts to their benefits would be devastating to their lives.

Nearly 300 people gathered at the statehouse to rally with individuals with disabilities, their families and advocates, including disability rights advocate Kevin Nunez.

Visibility is not partizan.

It's relief by supporting measures to support you.

Nunez joined the crowd protesting against possible cuts to Medicaid under a budget plan Republicans are pushing through Congress.

While Republicans have said they will not cut Medicaid benefits and are targeting fraud in the program, the Congressional Budget Office said there is no other way to make up the $880 billion they are seeking to slash over the next decade to fund President Trump's agenda.

State officials have told NJ Spotlight News the cuts could range from $2.2 billion to $10 billion.

Nunez, who was born with cerebral palsy and is a longtime Medicaid recipient, was invited by Senator Andy Kim to attend the president's joint address to Congress this week to highlight the cost of potential GOP Medicaid cuts.

Kevin, what is at stake for you personally?

What do you think is my life?

I think I have a disability.

My brother has a disability, my father has a disability.

Our very quality of life from caregivers to home modifications to even our transportation is that it didn't think we were really stuck in our homes for the rest or for the next ten years.

If these cuts would have to manifest.

And advocates and family members I spoke with say Medicaid is more than just health insurance.

They say it's a lifestyle.

This is horrendous.

It's not just people with disabilities, but it's everybody.

And it affects so many programs and services.

Carol Tonks, as the executive director of the Alliance Center for Independent Talks, who helped organize the event led by Project Medicaid, says a fight is personal for her.

I have a severely autistic son who lives at home with my husband and I.

If there are Medicaid cuts and it does roll down, his program is paid through Medicaid.

He goes three days a week and it's a $50,000 program that my husband and I could not afford to pay.

In New Jersey, Medicaid is administered as NJ Family Care.

It covers health insurance cost for more than 1.8 million residents who are poor, disabled or live in nursing homes.

Advocate Chris Miller says it's now time for those with disabilities to speak up and for legislators to listen.

RE You know.

I think that there is a a misguided impression right now in Congress that you can cut $880 billion without hurting people's access to Medicaid.

CEO of Disability Rights.

And Jake, when Orlowski says there is a misconception about who these cuts will impact, when in reality, Medicaid helps all types of people, a.

Lot of young people use Medicaid, a lot of people as they're transitioning from whatever their school was to their forever careers.

They're underemployed or their employed in jobs that don't provide health benefits.

They're too old to be on their parents benefits.

And they and they need to be able to access health care through Medicaid.

So just come from all walks of life.

Orlowski says advocates are being urged to share their stories through videos, which in turn will be sent to lawmakers in Washington, D.C.. She says more rallies like today will be planned in hopes of stopping any cuts to Medicaid.

For Energy Spotlight News, I'm Raven Santana.