Assemblymen walked away dissapointed today from Governor Christie’s budget hearing, which included few details about his plan to overhaul Medicaid. Christie is hoping to save $300 million by overhauling Medicaid through a global waiver from the federal government. However, the Christie administration did not detail how the waiver will change Medicaid, and the public and lawmakers have expressed frustration at the uncertainty.
Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen) released the following statement today after the administration was unable to define the plan for saving the $300 million:
“Considering the budget proposal includes a $303 million surplus, seeking to save $300 million through some sort of Medicaid waiver that the administration is unable to explain seems like a questionable move that will put health care services at risk”.
“If the Medicaid waiver is unsuccessful, there will be a $300 million hole in the Medicaid budget. This could seriously jeopardize health care for the state’s most vulnerable residents, who already are struggling under the governor’s decision to eliminate health care for women and their newborn babies”.
“The lack of answers today was disturbing. We still don’t know what exactly the federal government is being asked to approve, nor do we have indication on whether this will be approved or when a decision might be made”.
“What is the governor’s contingency to protect the health of the state’s most vulnerable residents if the waiver is not approved?”
“We have far too few answers on this vital public policy question so important to the lives of middle-class and poor New Jerseyans.” TLS.
this governor is really out of control. Was he not born of a woman. For him to eliminate health care for woman and babies is unconscionable. how many women and babies are at risk here.
As someone who spends time at an ER, I can tell you that there are issues with the current health care system, and its not that people can’t get the care they need. The money wasted is unbelievable. I have not been there long and can already write a book. Before you blame any hospital for the what looks to you like mismanagement, spend some time there to see what the real problems is. Not to say that there is no room for improvement, but there are other problems.
Why should the rich not have a choice whether to pay for the poor ‘s health care? Why is there medicaid in the first place? Maybe I, a middle class tax paying citizen who has to pay for my health insurance AND for medicaid in the form of taxes, is MOST vulnerable? I have to limit my monthly food budget to $300 in order to survive, when food stamp recipients with a family size like mine are receiving $600!
Good for Christie…About time someone puts a stop to all of this. It’s not against women and children. Why should all the middle class and upper class hard working people have to pay for the people who can’t, or choose not to pay for their own.
I lost my health insurance and need back surgery. Now I have to wait until I can get health insurance, than have a 6 mos. waiting period for pre-existing condition before I can have the surgery I need. Times are tough for all, You do what you have to do. Medicaid is out of control and should be cut. So should food stamps. Like I said, If you can’t afford such a large family, wait until you can afford to.
It’s the incredible healthcare costs that put the STATE at risk! There is only so much heavy lifting that we taxpayers can do without any cost-cutting oversight!
Medicaid spending is indeed excessive and unjustified but still Christie shouldn’t take this step if hasn’t also made an effort to make insurance affordable for those who want to pay and not get a free ride. When he was running he promised to set up an insurance exchange allowing people to buy cheaper out of state polices (as did Obama with Obamacare).Of course I knew then that Christie was lying. Ultimately he would not set up this exchange. But at lease he should of made an effort to do so. Then he could of blamed the democrats for it not working out.
I am considered “middle class”. My monthly budget for food for my family is about $400.
After all the taxes, I’m left with almost nothing.
The people on Medicaid are living much richer than me.
I’m sorry. This state is out of control. Thank you Christie.