Bill To Re-Open Nj Familycare For Parents Released By Assembly Panel

jersey carLegislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Herb Conaway, M.D. to restore eligibility for parents Gov. Chris Christie tossed out of the successful NJ FamilyCare program was released Thursday by an Assembly panel. The bill (A-3938) appropriates $6.4 million to the Department of Human Services to enable parents to enroll and continue to be enrolled in the NJ FamilyCare program. The state money would help bring in an additional $11.9 million in federal funds for the program.

NJ FamilyCare is a federal and state funded health insurance program created to help New Jersey’s uninsured children and low-income parents and guardians obtain affordable health coverage. For example, children in a family of four with a monthly income of up to $6,432 could be eligible.

Last year, the governor barred enrollment from some parents in NJ FamilyCare. Since March 2010, the number of adults enrolled in NJ FamilyCare has been reduced by 19,200.

“We know this program saves money and we know allowing parents to enroll in it helps ensure coverage for children, which ultimately saves taxpayer money and makes last year’s cut by the governor highly questionable,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “NJ FamilyCare is for families who do not have available or affordable employer insurance, and cannot afford to pay the high cost of private health insurance. If they don’t get his coverage, they will go to the emergency room for even more expensive care, so this bill is fiscally sensible and responsible.”

“This bill is the right thing to do for our taxpayers and our families,” said Conaway (D-Burlington/Camden). “Last year’s decision by the governor to slice this program will simply lead to higher costs to taxpayers through costlier hospital visits. This plan to attract federal help, bring about a healthier New Jersey and save taxpayer money is a sound approach.”

The bill was released by the Assembly Human Services Committee chaired by Vainieri Huttle. TLS

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8 COMMENTS

  1. Who are we raising taxes on, to pay for this? The people who work and pay for their own health insurance?

    Maybe we should raise taxes on unions who get free health insurance and huge salaries, to help pay for the healthcare for the poor.

  2. Why should the parents also get coverage? I have no kids at home any more and I can’t get medicaid even though my income is very low. I can’t afford insurance. It’s hard enough paying mandatory car insurance, and homeowner’s insurance, and taxes on the house – don’t ask! I don’t get food stamps either. It’s not that I am expecting a government handout, it’s just that everything is so expensive.

  3. Why should the parents also get coverage? I have no kids at home any more and I can’t get medicaid even though my income is very low. I can’t afford insurance. It’s hard enough paying mandatory car insurance, and homeowner’s insurance, and taxes on the house – don’t ask! I don’t get food stamps either. It’s not that I am expecting a government handout, it’s just that everything is so expensive.

  4. For people like me that were trying to pay whatever insurance I couldnt afford and went to get procedures done that werent covered anyway and ended up with thousands in bills and no money to pay for it!!! Not all of us get free insurance from work and not all of us are making enough money to let alone cover our rent groceries and everything else no matter how hard we work!! BH I got onto this insurance so now I can focus on the other bills Im trying to pay off!

  5. This is a bogus political ploy being done by the democrats .

    There is a reason for the restructuring , and everyone will have to make a little sacrifice for the greater good. The democrats want a welfare state , so they can control everything. Balanced programs are okay in my opinion, but you have to prevent a welfare state or you go bust. it was finally time that people realized that and that is the reason Christie was able to win in such a liberal state . Just bear with him until things are running smooth again.

  6. #3 and # 4 Why don’t you apply for FOOD STAMPS. It is a great program and big help. Almost any middle or low income family can get it. All you have to do is apply. In fact you have a responsibility to your family to get it, if you are short money.

  7. Family Care for adults is very important for the middle class esspeciallyin the Lakewood community. I had seen that a similar bill was already voted on and passed the Assembly within the lest year, but was vetoed by Governor Christie. We have to make a campaign to call the elected officials both in the legislature and the Governor’s office to voice our support for this bill.
    The state is having budget problems and they have to cut spending, but this is the wrong place to cut. I am a taxpayer and support my tax dollars going to this social program.

Comments are closed.