Health Care Reform Begins in New Jersey
By: States: New Jersey | Source: AARP.org
On July 8, Governor Corzine signed bill S1557 into law, and took a huge first step towards health care reform in the Garden State.
S1557 will expand the NJ Family Care program to cover more children and their families. The bill will also create a mandate for health care coverage for all New Jersey children, and set forth market reforms that will bring younger people into the individual insurance market.
The signing of this law couldn’t have come at a better time, as nearly 1.3 million state residents, including 250,000 children are uninsured.
AARP was successful in lobbying the legislature to include two amendments, which will help expand health insurance access and coverage in New Jersey, while not compromising affordability.
The first amendment of the bill creates a financial hardship exemption from Family Care premiums for families who cannot afford them. This provision will protect low-income families from unaffordable financial burdens caused by Family Care premiums. The second amendment expands the 15% insurance rate cap to current and new enrollees aged 55 or older in the individual insurance market. With more individuals losing coverage from their employers and seeking insurance coverage elsewhere, this amendment will help hold down annual premium increases.
“AARP thanks legislative sponsor Senator Joseph Vitale, The New Jersey Legislature, and Governor Corzine for taking the initial step towards New Jersey health care reform,” says AARP State President Sy Larson. “However, there are many more steps that lie ahead before affordable, comprehensive health care for all is achieved.”
Call Governor Corzine and thank him for signing this important piece of legislation. You can reach the Governor’s Office at (609) 292-6000 or on the Web at http://www.state.nj.us/governor.
Other Resources: New Jersey Legislature 1-877-696-2282 http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/
S1557 will expand the NJ Family Care program to cover more children and their families. The bill will also create a mandate for health care coverage for all New Jersey children, and set forth market reforms that will bring younger people into the individual insurance market.
The signing of this law couldn’t have come at a better time, as nearly 1.3 million state residents, including 250,000 children are uninsured.
AARP was successful in lobbying the legislature to include two amendments, which will help expand health insurance access and coverage in New Jersey, while not compromising affordability.
The first amendment of the bill creates a financial hardship exemption from Family Care premiums for families who cannot afford them. This provision will protect low-income families from unaffordable financial burdens caused by Family Care premiums. The second amendment expands the 15% insurance rate cap to current and new enrollees aged 55 or older in the individual insurance market. With more individuals losing coverage from their employers and seeking insurance coverage elsewhere, this amendment will help hold down annual premium increases.
“AARP thanks legislative sponsor Senator Joseph Vitale, The New Jersey Legislature, and Governor Corzine for taking the initial step towards New Jersey health care reform,” says AARP State President Sy Larson. “However, there are many more steps that lie ahead before affordable, comprehensive health care for all is achieved.”
Call Governor Corzine and thank him for signing this important piece of legislation. You can reach the Governor’s Office at (609) 292-6000 or on the Web at http://www.state.nj.us/governor.
Other Resources: New Jersey Legislature 1-877-696-2282 http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/
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