New Jersey Lawmakers Consider Health Reform, Starting With Children

New Jersey Lawmakers Consider Health Reform, Starting With Children in Politics and Legislation

Lawmakers in the New Jersey state Senate have introduced an ambitious bill that would provide universal health insurance for all residents in three years, reported the Newark Star-Ledger.

This new bill would eventually require all of the estimated 1.3 million uninsured residents in New Jersey to obtain coverage.

“I believe that every man, woman and child deserves access to affordable health care here in New Jersey,” said state Senator Joseph Vitale, a sponsor of the bill.

Under the measure, universal coverage would come in steps.

In the new law’s first year, all children would have to be covered. They could be insured by a parent’s plan with an employer or obtain coverage through one of the public health care programs, Medicaid or FamilyCare.

Income eligibility for FamilyCare would also be expanded so more families could buy into the plan.

In total, the first step will cost the state around $29 million and cover roughly 52,000 children. The funding would come from the $180 million Medicaid already has in the bank.

In the second and third years, the state would provide subsidized coverage for any resident earning up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level. Residents who qualify for coverage could be automatically enrolled if they go to the emergency room for care.

Once in universal coverage is in full swing, it will cost the state around $1 billion every year.

Governor Jon Corzine supports the idea of universal health insurance, but he’s facing a sizeable budget deficit in the state.

Many of the bill’s details are still up in the air — including where the bulk of the funding will come from. And we know how expensive universal health insurance can be.

“I’m a realist, and I understand that the current budget circumstances may inhibit our ability today to reach that common goal [universal coverage],” said Governor Corzine.

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