BUONO-VITALE BILL TO ESTABLISH MEDICAL HOME PROJECT IN NJ ADVANCES

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Barbara Buono and Joseph F. Vitale which would establish a three-year medical home demonstration project to enhance primary, patient-centered acute care for Medicaid recipients was unanimously approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.

“The medical home demonstration project will provide enhanced access to primary care in the most appropriate, cost effective setting,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex, and Chairwoman of the Senate Budget Committee. “This comprehensive healthcare planning process includes a partnership between the physician, patient, and the patient’s family. Carefully integrating these elements of patient care will provide improved access to preventive and primary medical services for the uninsured, thereby reducing the number of Emergency Room visits for primary care services and the cost of those visits to the State.”

CONAWAY/DeANGELO/ALBANO/MILAM ANTI-FRAUD BILL CLEARS ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE
Bill Would Give State Officials Greater Power to Combat Medicaid Theft

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Herb Conaway, Wayne DeAngelo, Nelson Albano and Matt Milam sponsored to enhance the state's ability to recoup money fraudulently taken from the state's Medicaid system was released today by the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Senate Bill 221, would require nursing homes to work with private pay patients to ensure that the residents are aware of where they are on a waiting list for a Medicaid bed before their private funds run out and Medicaid takes over.

HOSPITAL GOVERNANCE MEASURES ARE NOW LAW

New Laws Part of Rationalization in Health Care Resources Recommendations

TRENTON – A package of bills sponsored by members of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee which address hospital governance in an attempt to keep hospitals competitive in New Jersey was signed into law today by Governor Jon Corzine.

The first bill in the package, S-1794, requires each general hospital in New Jersey to annually conduct a public meeting for the community it serves. The meetings will focus on the delivery of care to the community, and give local residents a chance to form a dialogue with hospitals’ executives to discuss how better to serve the community.

“Our local hospitals serve as safe havens for the residents who live nearby, and they play a vital role in the communities they serve,” said Senator Redd, D-Camden and Gloucester, who is a prime sponsor of S-1794. “Hospitals can only continue to provide this necessary care if they are in tune with the needs of residents, so it is imperative that the lines of communication are open between hospital administration and the public.”

ADLER BILL TO STRENGTHEN INCOME VERIFICATION FOR FAMILYCARE SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator John Adler which will bolster the State’s income verification process for Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare was signed into law today by Governor Corzine.

“New Jersey is fighting for every cent we can get from the federal government to help fund FamilyCare and Medicaid,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “We cannot waste our limited resources on health care for people who don’t need our help. The tougher income verification standards will make sure only those who qualify have access to these programs.”

CONAWAY BILL TO VERIFY INCOME FOR HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS CLEARS ASSEMBLY

Measure Would Require Income Verification for FamilyCare, Medicaid

(TRENTON) - The Assembly today passed legislation Assemblyman Herb Conaway, MD, sponsored that would curtail abuses of the state's health-care programs for the poor by requiring enrollees to verify their incomes and authorizing state officials to audit recipients.  

CONAWAY BILL TO VERIFY INCOME FOR HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS CLEARS ASSEMBLY

Measure Would Require Income Verification for FamilyCare, Medicaid

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee today released legislation Assemblyman Herb Conaway, MD sponsored that would curtail abuses of the state's health-care programs for the poor by requiring enrollees to verify their incomes and authorizing state officials to audit recipients. 

CONAWAY BILL TO VERIFY INCOME FOR HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS CLEARS ASSEMBLY

Measure Would Require Income Verification for FamilyCare, Medicaid

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee today released legislation Assemblyman Herb Conaway, MD sponsored that would curtail abuses of the state's health-care programs for the poor by requiring enrollees to verify their incomes and authorizing state officials to audit recipients. 

CONAWAY BILL TO VERIFY INCOME FOR HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS CLEARS ASSEMBLY

Measure Would Require Income Verification for FamilyCare, Medicaid

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee today released legislation Assemblyman Herb Conaway, MD sponsored that would curtail abuses of the state's health-care programs for the poor by requiring enrollees to verify their incomes and authorizing state officials to audit recipients. 

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.