VITALE - PRESIDENT’S CONVERSION ON SCHIP GOOD NEWS FOR NJ

TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and the chief author of legislation expanding FamilyCare in order to guarantee affordable health care for all New Jersey children, issued the following statement after reading reports that President Bush had decided to back off threatened cuts to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which provides federal matching dollars to programs like NJ FamilyCare:

“Whether the President decided to make an election year conversion regarding SCHIP, or actually got religion in terms of access to quality health care for the working poor, the news that the Bush Administration is backing off intended cuts to the program are great news for New Jersey.

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.”

VITALE-KARCHER BILL TO OFFER OUTPATIENT DIALYSIS FOR UNINSURED ADVANCES IN ASSEMBLY

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Ellen Karcher which would require ambulatory care facilities in New Jersey to provide uncompensated outpatient renal dialysis services for uninsured, low-income people was approved by the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee today by a vote of 8-2.