PREVIEW - SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER EXPANDED FAMILYCARE, RATIONAL HEALTH CARE RESOURCES BILLS ON THURSDAY

TRENTON – At a hearing on Thursday, May 15 in the Statehouse Annex, the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee will consider legislation sponsored by Committee Chair, Senator Joseph F. Vitale, to expand NJ FamilyCare in an effort to set the stage for accessible, affordable health care coverage for all New Jerseyans.

“This is an important first step in establishing a better model for New Jersey to meet its obligation to the uninsured,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “Under the current charity care funding model, we aren’t making the most of our State’s limited health care dollars. We’re encouraging bad health care practices, by sending the message that uninsured New Jerseyans need to wait until their illness or injury is so severe that they have to go to the emergency room for care. This is a broken and dysfunctional system, and it’s time for a health care plan that works.”

VITALE - WRONG TIME TO DIVERT MEDICAID AND FAMILY CARE SURPLUS

Senator Notes Number One Concern for Residents During Recession is Affording Health Care

TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and author of a plan to make affordable health care coverage available to the uninsured, issued the following statement after today’s Committee hearing on the FY 2009 Department of Human Services budget, and plans to tap into Medicaid and FamilyCare fund surpluses for the State’s general operating expenses:

“In New Jersey and across the country, people are facing an extraordinarily uncertain economic future. A national recession and a devalued dollar have forced families around the Garden State to make difficult choices about which bills to pay, and which to put off.

U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews, Assemblyman John Wisniewski, and John Rutkowski
PERTH AMBOY - A city of wrought iron fire escapes hugs the waterfront to east of the highways, where in a banquet hall behind the ZPA Cocktail Lounge on Saturday night, U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews goes from table to table with Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex).

The 100 people here representing the United Poles in America ZPA embrace Wisniewski as one of their own, the powerful chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, who grew up among them in Sayreville, and who’s represented them for over 12 years.

SENATOR VITALE STATEMENT ON BUDGET HEARING ON DEPT. OF HEALTH

TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and author of a health care reform plan to ensure affordable health care for all New Jersey residents, issued the following statement regarding today’s hearing on the FY 2009 Budget of the State Department of Health and Senior Services:

VITALE-WEINBERG BILL TO ENSURE FUNDING FOR CENTER FOR NURSING APPROVED

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Loretta Weinberg which would reorganize the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing and provide a permanent funding source was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 34-0.

Middlesex County Democratic Party Chairman Joseph Spicuzzo said he will award the organization line to the winners of the March 5 party convention – including U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

“I am bound by the decisions made by our Democratic committeemen and committeewomen during that nominating convention,” said Spicuzzo. “I am aware, of course, that there is a significant difference of opinion being expressed by several of our party leaders. However, at least during the years of my chairmanship, we have awarded the line and its slogan, ‘Middlesex County Democratic Organization,’ to those winners.”

U.S. Senate candidate Rob Andrews added to his Middlesex County support today with endorsements from State Sen. Joseph Vitale, Assemblyman John Wisniewski, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac, Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman, and East Brunswick Democratic Chairman Shawn Taylor.   State Sens. Barbara Buono and Robert Smith announced their support of Andrews yesterday.

Middlesex County Democrats are expected to support Rob Andrews for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination against incumbent Frank Lautenberg. State Sen. Robert Smith has endorsed Andrews, and sources say that Senate Health Committee Chairman Joseph Vitale and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Barbara Buono will also back the Congressman from Camden County.

VITALE-GORDON BILL TO IMPOSE HORSESHOE CRAB MORATORIUM TO PRESERVE ENDANGERED RED KNOTS SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Bob Gordon to impose a moratorium on the taking of horseshoe crabs to protect the food supply for the endangered red knot shorebird was signed into law by Governor Corzine today.

VITALE-GORDON BILL TO IMPOSE HORSESHOE CRAB MORATORIUM TO PRESERVE ENDANGERED RED KNOTS RECEIVES FINAL LEG. APPROVAL

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Bob Gordon to impose a moratorium on the taking of horseshoe crabs to protect the food supply for the endangered red knot shorebird was approved today by the Senate by a vote of 39-0, receiving final legislative approval.