FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/26/13

AARP PRAISES GOVERNOR CHRISTIE’S DECISION TO PUT NEW JERSEY FIRST BY EXPANDING MEDICAID

More than 80,000 hard-working residents ages 50-64 will now have access to affordable health care coverage at a time when they need it most 

Statement from Douglas Johnston, AARP New Jersey Governmental Affairs Manager

PRINCETON-   AARP applauds Governor Christie’s decision to accept new federal dollars and expand New Jersey’s Medicaid program. In making this decision today, Governor Christie has affirmed his commitment to putting the interests of New Jersey first.

Governor Christie has chosen the right path for New Jersey.  This is a win-win proposition for uninsured adults and for all taxpayers.  New Jersey will be a healthier state for this decision; indeed we will be saving lives.

We estimate that Medicaid expansion will benefit more than 300,000 hard-working New Jerseyans, including more than 80,000 between the ages of 50 and 64, by providing them with an affordable health care coverage option that is not currently available to them. This is especially good news for our fellow residents who continue to struggle in today’s difficult economy or who are still digging out from Superstorm Sandy.

The New Jersey Medical Assistance Advisory Council, in its support for Medicaid expansion in NJ, has said that the $1 billion in funding provided by the Affordable Care Act over the next two years could be historic in its potential benefit to the state. New Jersey Policy Perspective released a report last week that showed that the funding would ultimately save the state more than $6 billion over the next 9 years.

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 AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source.  AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.