MORRIS COUNTY — Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-Morris County) released the following statement calling on the Sherrill administration to redirect some of the $128 million in pork that was recently signed into law, to Continuum of Care providers to help address the homelessness crisis in NJ:

“Homelessness has increased by more than five percent in the 25th Legislative District, and is up overall across New Jersey since 2023, yet funding for the Continuum of Care providers who work every day to keep people housed and off the streets is facing serious uncertainty,” said Sen. Bucco.

“These providers need just $8 million to remain operational through June 2026. Meanwhile, the Legislature approved $128 million in pork spending earlier this month. Redirecting a small portion of that money to support Continuum of Care providers would be a far more responsible use of taxpayer dollars and would directly help address the growing homelessness crisis.

If we are truly committed to helping our most vulnerable residents, keeping these essential programs funded should be a top priority.”

MORRIS COUNTY — CVS Pharmacy will soon be considered out of network for more than 800,000 New Jersey residents enrolled in Horizon NJ Health, a move that could significantly affect Morris County families who rely on CVS locations throughout the county for their prescription needs.

Beginning April 30, CVS pharmacies will no longer accept Horizon NJ Health, the state’s Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare managed care plan. The change stems from a contract dispute between CVS Pharmacy and Horizon NJ Health over reimbursement rates.

For Morris County residents covered under the plan, this means prescriptions filled at CVS after the deadline may no longer be covered at in-network rates, potentially resulting in higher out-of-pocket costs. Residents are being urged to transfer prescriptions to other in-network pharmacies before the cutoff date.

Horizon NJ Health officials stated that CVS opted not to agree to contract terms that would keep pharmacies in network. CVS, meanwhile, has said it made a proposal it believed was fair and sustainable.

It is important to note that the change only affects Horizon NJ Health members. CVS will remain in network for commercial Horizon plans and for other Medicaid managed care plans in New Jersey.

Morris County residents enrolled in Horizon NJ Health are encouraged to review their pharmacy options and take action ahead of the April 30 deadline to avoid disruptions in care. Local independent pharmacies and other major chains continue to participate in the Horizon NJ Health network.

Residents seeking additional information should contact Horizon NJ Health directly or speak with their pharmacist about transferring prescriptions.

MORRIS COUNTY — County Surrogate Heather J. Darling, Esq. is proud to announce the launch of “Hannah,” a new AI-powered Virtual Assistant, representing the most advanced technology of its kind to be used to date in a government office in New Jersey. Not only does Hannah respond to inquiries, but she also performs functions including appointment scheduling, call transfers, and data analytics. Hannah answers incoming phone calls and provides callers with 24-hour, seven-day-a-week access to essential information regarding probate, guardianship, and estate matters.

By introducing this technology, Surrogate Darling is expanding access beyond traditional office hours, allowing Morris County residents to receive guidance and support during evenings, weekends, and holidays, ensuring that help is always available when it is most convenient for them.

The most common questions involve what documents are required to begin probate or how to obtain Surrogate certificates. The Virtual Assistant is programmed to provide clear, plain-language answers to these and many other inquiries. 

A key priority for Surrogate Darling was to streamline the process for those visiting the Court. To achieve this, the Virtual Assistant sends automated reminders to residents’ emails with detailed information on what documentation to bring to their appointments. These proactive notifications help reduce missed appointments and ensure that clients arrive fully prepared, which in turn allows staff to provide more effective and focused service during in-person consultations.

In addition to enhancing public access, Hannah supports staff by handling routine inquiries, allowing them to focus on complex and sensitive cases that require deep personal attention or physical tasks. Surrogate Darling emphasizes that while Hannah is a powerful tool for modernization, it operates securely without storing personal data and is intended to complement, rather than replace, the compassionate service the Morris County Surrogate’s Court is known for. This innovation reflects Surrogate Darling’s ongoing commitment to modernizing the Morris County Surrogate’s Court while keeping the needs of the community at the heart of every improvement.

For more information, visit morrissurrogate.com.