LEGISLATORS URGE MEDICAID EXPANSION FOR NJ

Expansion Will Attract Up To $22 Billion in Federal Funds, Extend Coverage to At Least 234,000 Uninsured & Save Taxpayers With Reduced Uncompensated Care Costs

TRENTON – New Jersey should take advantage of the opportunity to extend health care coverage to hundreds of thousands of the uninsured by expanding the Medicaid program, said the sponsors of a legislative resolution urging participation in the newly-offered help from the federal government that was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on Monday.

Senator Joe Vitale and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg said the expansion could bring up to $22 billion in federal funds over eight years, provide coverage to at least 234,00 of the uninsured and reduce costs for hospitals and the state for uncompensated care. A key component of the national health care reforms, the Medicaid expansion would be fully funded by the federal government the first three years and phased down over three years to cover 90 percent permanently.

Click here to read the rest of Senator Vitale's and Senate Majority Leader Weinberg's news release.

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