MEDIA ADVISORY - VITALE, LAWMAKERS TO ANNOUNCE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE PLAN ON MONDAY

TRENTON – On Monday, March 17, Senator Joseph F. Vitale will announce his plan for a phased-in program to provide universal health care access for all New Jerseyans at a news conference in the Statehouse Annex.

VITALE-GORDON BILL TO IMPOSE HORSESHOE CRAB MORATORIUM TO PRESERVE ENDANGERED RED KNOTS ADVANCES

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Bob Gordon to impose a moratorium on the taking of horseshoe crabs to protect food supply for the endangered red knot shorebird was unanimously approved by the Senate Environment Committee today.

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

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 unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

VITALE BILL TO GIVE ADOPTEES ACCESS TO BIRTH RECORDS APPROVED

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would give adult adoptees and certain others access to the adoptee’s birth certificate was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 30-7.

VITALE STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR’S FY 2009 BUDGET ADDRESS

TRENTON – State Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding Governor Corzine’s FY 2009 Budget Address:

VITALE-BUONO BILL TO BAN SALE OF FLAVORED CIGARETTES ADVANCES IN SENATE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Barbara Buono which would prohibit the sale of certain flavored cigarettes in the State of New Jersey was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today by a vote of 8-1.

VITALE BILL TO GIVE ADOPTEES ACCESS TO BIRTH RECORDS ADVANCES

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would give adult adoptees and certain others access to the adoptee’s birth certificate was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

VITALE-BUONO BILL TO REQUIRE INSURANCE PARITY FOR TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE APPROVED BY COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Barbara Buono which would require health insurers in New Jersey to cover treatment for alcoholism and substance abuse disorders under the same terms and conditions used for other diseases and illnesses was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today by a vote of 6-0, with four abstentions.

VITALE - GOVERNOR’S PLAN MUST CONSIDER HUMAN, SMALL BUSINESS

TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s Committee hearing on the Governor’s financial restructuring plan, which is balanced on the assumption of a public benefits corporation which will be empowered to institute massive toll hikes over the next 14 years:

VITALE HEALTH CARE BILLS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

Measures Would Cut Down on False Claims, Create Statewide Health Care IT Network, Allow Families to Make Decisions on Medical Research

TRENTON – Five bills sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale aimed at improving Statewide health care programs, protecting against fraud and streamlining services were signed into law by the Governor over the weekend.