News Releases
Thursday, October 11, 2012
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GILL STATEMENT ON ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF 'NJ HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE ACT'
TRENTON – Senator Nia H. Gill (D-Essex) issued the following statement on today’s approval by the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee of the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Act, legislation (S-1319) the senator sponsored in the upper house to create a state-based health insurance exchange:
“It is critical that our state meet the November 16th deadline for demonstrating to the federal government that we have a plan in place to set up a health insurance exchange in New Jersey. This vote brings us one step closer to meeting that goal. I want to thank Chairman Conaway and the members of the committee for their commitment to providing access to affordable health insurance to the people of this state who are currently in need of coverage.
“For the uninsured and underinsured who are an illness away from being pushed over the financial brink, the exchange is their lifeline to financial stability and to receiving quality care. To that end, it is vital we implement a model that will provide the most benefits and protections to our residents. A one-size-fits-all approach is not the optimal path forward for New Jersey. Our exchange must have the ability to meet the demands of the marketplace and to respond to the needs of our residents. This legislation allows for us to do that in a meaningful way. I look forward to this bill reaching the governor’s desk and urge him to do what is right for our state.”