TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) today released the following statement in response to a report that the Christie Administration reversed its decision to lower the income eligibility threshold for Medicaid recipients. The decision was reported in today�s edition of The Star-Ledger:
“I am pleased the governor finally saw the light, and reversed his decision to close Medicaid enrollment to individuals earning below 133 percent of the poverty line. To put this in perspective, our state was on track to prevent families making more than $5,588 a year – or $108 a week – from accessing critical care and medication.
“Particularly at a time when economic conditions necessitate the availability of safety net programs, this proposal would have had grave consequences for our most vulnerable populations.
“We are still reviewing the waiver that was submitted, and it is still unclear the impact this proposal would have on the disabled, elderly and poorest individuals of this state if accepted by the federal government. However, that this administration relented on one of its most damaging proposals is certainly a relief.”