Joan Voss

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.”

SCALERA/VOSS/PRIETO BILL SEEKING HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS FOR DISABLED, VISUALLY IMPAIRED GOES TO GOVERNOR

Measure Would Direct State’s Interscholastic Sports Group To Encourage & Oversee ‘Adapted Athletics’ Competitions

(TRENTON) – The Senate today gave final legislative approval to legislation Assembly members Fred Scalera, Joan Voss and Vincent Prieto sponsored to direct the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) to play an active role in developing competitive sports programs for youths with disabilities or physical handicaps.

“Kids with disabilities who aspire to play sports should get every opportunity to do so,” said Scalera (D-Essex). “All children regardless of physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities or impairments should be able to enjoy the

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:

'JESSICA LUNSFORD ACT' RELEASED BY ASSEMBLY PANEL;
VOSS, GREENSTEIN HAIL BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO PROTECT KIDS

(TRENTON) - The "Jessica Lunsford Act" - legislation Assemblywoman Joan Voss sponsored to enhance the penalties for sexual offenses committed against children and to punish individuals who harbor sex offenders - was today released by an Assembly committee.

ASSEMBLY PASSES ROBERTS/PRIETO/VOSS BILL FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AUTISM-SPECTRUM TREATMENTS

(TRENTON) - Legislation Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr., Assemblyman Vincent Prieto and Assemblywoman Joan Voss sponsored to require health insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary treatments of autism-spectrum disorders today passed the General Assembly.

***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE***

ROBERTS, VOSS & ADVOCATES COMMENTARY ON ADVANCEMENT OF BILL PROVIDING COVERAGE OF AUTISM TREATMENTS

(TRENTON) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr., today issued a multimedia package on legislation he sponsored with Assembly members Joan M. Voss and Vincent Prieto to require health insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary treatments of disorders on the autism spectrum.

The measure (A-2238) follows the 2007 enactment of seven laws that made New Jersey a national leader in providing support to families with autistic members.  It would require health insurers to cover the expenses of treatments deemed medically necessary for autism-spectrum disorders, which include Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger's Disorder and Rhett's Syndrome.  Insurance coverage would be extended to physical, speech and occupational therapies, as well as behavioral interventions.

ROBERTS/PRIETO/VOSS BILL FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AUTISM-SPECTRUM TREATMENTS CLEARS COMMITTEE

(TRENTON) - Legislation Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr., Assemblyman Vincent Prieto and Assemblywoman Joan Voss sponsored to require health insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary treatments of autism-spectrum disorders was released today by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.