A plan to merge New Jersey Medical School in Newark and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick is moving forward.

Officials with the two Rutgers University public medical schools say combining them would improve name recognition and patient care. But many faculty are worried it will reduce residency opportunities for medical students and decrease quality of care, especially in Newark's University Hospital.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka joins Morning Edition host Michael Hill, to talk about a letter he's written the governor seeking physical improvements to University Hospital, which serves many uninsured residents, as well as a commitment for adequate staffing and funding.