Connie Wagner

VAINIERI HUTTLE / WAGNER / CRUZ-PEREZ / VOSS BILL TO INCREASE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND SCRUTINY OF HEALTH INSURER CONVERSIONS APPROVED BY ASSEMBLY

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblywomen Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Connie Wagner, Nilsa Cruz-Perez and Joan Voss to require increased public participation and independent analysis when a health insurer moves to convert to a for-profit company was approved 52-23-2 today by the Assembly.

The bill (A-3729) proposes more public hearings and a study by an outside consultant examining the health impact of any proposed conversion. The hearings and independent analysis would be required before the state grants approval for the conversion.

The bill comes as the state’s largest insurer, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, seeks to convert into a for-profit company.

“This bill simply ensures sufficient public participation and that every issue has been carefully reviewed before a decision is reached on a conversion application,” Vainieri Huttle said. “We need extra caution when moving forward on issues that could, among other things, increase premium costs and influence the health care of so many New Jerseyans.”

VAINIERI HUTTLE / WAGNER / CRUZ-PEREZ / VOSS BILL TO INCREASE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND SCRUTINY OF HEALTH INSURER CONVERSIONS ADVANCES

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblywomen Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Connie Wagner, Nilsa Cruz-Perez and Joan Voss to require increased public participation and independent analysis when a health insurer moves to convert to a for-profit company was again advanced today by an Assembly panel.

The bill (A-3729) proposes more public hearings and a study by an outside consultant examining the health impact of any proposed conversion. The hearings and independent analysis would be required before the state grants approval for the conversion.

The bill comes as the state’s largest insurer, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, seeks to convert into a for-profit company.

“This bill simply ensures sufficient public participation and that every issue has been carefully reviewed before a decision is reached on a conversion application,” Vainieri Huttle said. “We need extra caution when moving forward on issues that could, among other things, increase premium costs and influence the health care of so many New Jerseyans.”

WAGNER BILL PROVIDING FOR OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION PASSES ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Connie Wagner to help preserve open space has been approved by an Assembly panel.

“This is a smart investment in our future and one the voters supported,” said Wagner (D-Bergen). “We’re combating sprawl, protecting our environment and water quality and preserving open space and creating parks that will be enjoyed in Bergen County for generations to come.”

VAINIERI HUTTLE / WAGNER / CRUZ-PEREZ / VOSS BILL TO INCREASE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND SCRUTINY OF INSURER CONVERSIONS RELEASED BY ASSEMBLY PANEL

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblywomen Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Connie Wagner, Nilsa Cruz-Perez and Joan Voss to require increased public participation and independent analysis when a health insurer moves to convert to a for-profit company was released today by an Assembly panel.

The bill (A-3729) proposes more public hearings and a study by an outside consultant examining the health impact of any proposed conversion.

The hearings and independent analysis would be required before the state grants approval for the conversion. The bill comes as the state’s largest insurer, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, seeks to convert into a for-profit company.

“This bill simply ensures sufficient public participation and that every issue has been carefully reviewed before a decision is reached on a conversion application,” Vainieri Huttle said. “We need extra caution when moving forward on issues that could, among other things, increase premium costs and influence the health care of so many New Jerseyans.”

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ASSEMBLY PANEL TO CONSIDER HEALTH INSURER CONVERSION BILL

Bill Would Require More Public Hearings & Independent Analysis

(TRENTON) – The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee will meet Thursday to consider legislation to require increased public participation and independent analysis when a health insurer seeks to convert to a for-profit company.

The legislation (A-3729) sponsored by Assemblywomen Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Connie Wagner and Joan Voss (all D-Bergen) and Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden) proposes more public hearings and an independent study examining the health impact of the proposed conversion.

VAINIERI HUTTLE / JOHNSON / WAGNER / VOSS STATEMENTS ON SIGNING OF HISTORIC NEW BRIDGE LANDING STATE PARK BILL

(TRENTON) – Assembly members Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Gordon Johnson, Connie Wagner and Joan Voss today released the following statements as Gov. Jon S. Corzine ceremonially signed legislation (A-3036) revising the jurisdiction of the Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission and transferring administration of Historic New Bridge Landing State Park to the commission:

***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE***

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS COMMENTARY ON BILLS INCREASING AWARENESS & SIMPLIFYING ENROLLMENT IN PAAD, SENIOR GOLD

(TRENTON) - Assembly Democrats today issued a multimedia package on two bills sponsored by Assembly members Sheila Y. Oliver, Connie Wagner, Celeste M. Riley and Ruben J. Ramos, Jr. that would increase awareness of and simplify enrollment in the state's two prescription assistance programs.

ALBANO / MILAM / WAGNER ‘MADE IN THE USA’ FLAG BILL APPROVED BY SENATE

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly members Nelson Albano, Connie Wagner and Matt Milam sponsored to require any United States or New Jersey state flag purchased with state funds be manufactured in the United States was approved today by the Senate.

The bill passed the Assembly 78-0 in November. It was approved 39-0 today by the Senate and now goes to the governor.

“It makes absolutely no sense to allow even one dime of the public’s money to be spent on an American flag made anywhere but in America,” said Albano (D-Cumberland /Atlantic/Cape May). “It is bad enough that our state and nation’s manufacturing bases have largely evaporated as jobs were shipped elsewhere. Buying the most-recognized symbol of our nation from overseas just adds insult to injury.”

ALBANO, MILAM, RILEY & WAGNER DEMAND MORE PROTECTIONS FOR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY RESIDENTS

Call on State Officials to Improve Services Following Critical Report

(TRENTON) – Assembly members Nelson T. Albano, Matthew W. Milam, Celeste Riley and Connie Wagner announced today they’ve introduced legislation seeking enhanced protections and new strategies to ensure assisted living residents aren’t discharged simply because they pay with Medicaid.