Do you want to bookmark ?

Access to quality, affordable health care is an urgent need in the Garden State, New Jerseyans said in a poll commissioned by AARP.

Nearly one in five registered New Jersey voters describes the state of health care in New Jersey as being in a state of crisis, and an additional 50% say that it has major problems.

AARP New Jersey, the Rutgers Center for State Health Policy, and a host of experts and policymakers discussed financing options for the state on March 18 at the Financing Health Care Reform in NJ conference in New Brunswick.

“People have lost confidence in the state’s health care system,” said AARP New Jersey State President Sy Larson. “They view the system as being in a state of crisis and feel the government should be making this issue a top priority.”

According to the AARP survey, nearly nine in ten self-identified registered voters agree that the Governor should make it a priority for his administration to provide affordable, quality health care for all New Jersey residents. Two in three voters say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate for state office who supports providing health care to all New Jersey residents.

Large majorities believe that employers, along with the federal government, state government, and individuals, should contribute (86%, 84%, 84%, and 72%, respectively). “Clearly, voters believe that solutions will involve shared responsibility,” said Larson.

Respondents also voiced support for several funding sources for health care reform, chief among them increased taxes for unhealthy lifestyle products such as tobacco and alcohol. 

Many respondents voiced support for individual and employer mandates. Three in four support requiring employers who do not offer health insurance coverage to pay a fee so the state can help uninsured employees buy health insurance. Three in four supports requiring that all New Jersey residents have health insurance coverage.

One in seven respondents does not have any kind of health care coverage.

AARP is making health care a top priority. Last year, AARP launched Divided We Fail to amplify the voices of millions of Americans who believe that health care and lifetime financial security are the most pressing domestic concerns facing our nation. 

Other Resources
Divided We Fail
www.dividedwefail.org
Sign up to be a Divided We Fail Voter!