WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim announced that he will be joined by disability rights activist and longtime Medicaid recipient Kevin Nuñez for the 2025 State of the Union address which will be occurring on March 4th.

Mr. Nuñez is a dedicated disability rights activist who was the Vice Chair of the New Jersey Council on Development Disabilities from 2017 to 2024. He’s also an author and podcaster who released his first book in 2021, Confessions from Disability Limbo, and podcast in 2022, “The Advocacy Life Podcast,” both offering ways to improve disability awareness and activism. He has a richness of experience and advocacy in the disability community and is a longtime recipient of Medicaid.

“Trump and Musk have shown they have no problem cutting vital funding that help our most vulnerable succeed; with these cuts, the disabled community will be losing access to critical programs and lifelines,” said Senator Andy Kim. “Kevin has been a leading voice for disability rights in New Jersey for many years and I am honored to have him as my guest for State of the Union to remind Trump that disability rights are human rights that must be protected.”

As a long time Medicaid recipient, Kevin relies on it to live an independent life. Medicaid allowed him to readapt his home and van to make it wheelchair accessible. It also helps him afford an aide to assist him with day-to-day activities at home. President Trump’s reckless decision to gut federal funding and programs will cause Kevin to lose access to resources he relies on daily.

“Federal support for individuals and their families with disabilities builds local, state, and national economies. Programs like Medicaid provide assistance for so many across the country and makes it possible for disabled individuals like me to live our lives with dignity,” said Kevin Nuñez. “I’m excited to be able to represent not just the disability community but New Jersey at-large as Senator Kim’s guest. Disability is not a partisan issue-it is a life issue.”

Senator Kim works to expand access to opportunity through education as a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). Kim also sits on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and the Special Committee on Aging. Learn more about Senator Kim’s service on behalf of New Jersey here.

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