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By DMUAdmin News & Releases Nia H. Gill

19 Sep: Gill: Health Benefit Exchange A Priority For Fall Legislative Session

TRENTON – Senator Nia H. Gill (D-Essex), chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, today issued the following statement on plans to move forward with legislation she is sponsoring to create a health insurance exchange in New Jersey, a key requirement of the federal health care reform law recently upheld as constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Senator Gill was the sponsor of legislation to create a state-based exchange that was approved by both houses of the Legislature in March but was vetoed by the governor. The Senator introduced new legislation (S-2135) which will be considered in the Senate Commerce Committee on Monday, Oct. 1:

“Now that federal health care reform has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, it is imperative we take the steps necessary to ensure New Jersey residents can access all of the benefits of the law. Creating a state-based health exchange is critical to that effort. A locally-governed exchange will ensure that residents who are uninsured or underinsured, as well as small businesses that are seeking plans for their employees, are able to purchase affordable, quality health coverage that best meet their needs.

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By DMUAdmin News & Releases Nia H. Gill

10 May: Gill Statement On Veto Of Health Exchange Legislation

TRENTON – Senator Nia H. Gill (D-Essex) today released the following statement on the governor’s veto of the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Act, legislation (S-1319) the senator sponsored to create a statewide health insurance exchange:

“The fact that the federal health reform law is being challenged by the right wing of the Republican Party does not eliminate New Jersey’s obligation to create a health benefit exchange, nor does it eliminate the needs of our 1.3 million uninsured residents. The state is facing a January 1st deadline to demonstrate that it has made progress in creating an exchange, an extremely detailed and work-intensive process. Today’s veto of comprehensive legislation only means that we’ll be left scrambling to implement a responsible plan.

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Senators Nia Gill, D-Essex, Passaic, and Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, speak to one another during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on S-1, legislation that would establish marriage equality in New Jersey. The bill was released from the Committee with a vote of 8-4, along party lines. The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
By DMUAdmin Joseph Vitale News & Releases Nia H. Gill

15 Mar: Gill/Vitale Sponsored ‘New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Act’ Approved By Both Houses

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Nia H. Gill and Joseph F. Vitale to accomplish a key requirement of the federal health care reform law by creating a state health insurance exchange, a competitive marketplace where individuals, families and employers will be able to purchase affordable, quality health care coverage, was approved today by the both houses of the Legislature.

Required under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the health insurance exchange is the first major step toward implementing federal health care reform in New Jersey. The “New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Act” (S-1319) would serve as a one-stop shop for individuals, families and employers seeking coverage, providing easy-to-understand information about health insurance options which would allow consumers to compare coverage, cost and value of participating plans. It also would provide a streamlined process for individuals and businesses to apply for private insurance, Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare, federal tax credits or other subsidies to be used towards the cost of insurance, through the use of a single website.

“With 1.3 million people uninsured, New Jersey is facing a health care crisis. The health insurance exchange is intended to capture these individuals by creating more affordable health plans through competition and providing clear information to consumers about the coverage available,” said Senator Gill (D-Essex), chair of the Senate Commerce Committee. “The exchange will also allow residents and businesses, through a central virtual marketplace, to purchase health care coverage and to apply for additional financial assistance offered by the government to make insurance more affordable. This system will allow all New Jerseyans to obtain the most appropriate health care coverage at the most competitive rates.”

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Senator Nia H. Gill on the floor of the Senate
By DMUAdmin News & Releases Nia H. Gill

27 Feb: Gill Measure To Provide New Jerseyans With Access To Affordable, Quality Health Care Coverage Through The Creation Of State Health Insurance Exchange Clears Committee

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill to accomplish a key requirement of the federal health care reform law by creating a state health insurance exchange, a competitive marketplace where individuals, families and employers will be able to purchase affordable, quality health care coverage, was approved today by the Senate Commerce Committee.

Required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Obama in 2010, health insurance exchanges are intended to provide an organized and transparent marketplace for consumers to purchase health insurance. The state exchange would be a one-stop shop for individuals and employers seeking coverage, providing easy-to-understand information about health insurance options which would allow consumers to compare coverage, cost and value of participating plans. It also would provide a streamlined process for individuals and businesses to apply for private insurance, Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare, federal tax credits or other subsidies to be used towards the cost of insurance, through the use of a single website.

“The health insurance exchange is intended to capture the hundreds of thousands of residents who are uninsured by offering affordable health plans and providing clear information to consumers about the coverage available,” said Senator Gill (D-Essex), chair of the Senate Commerce Committee. “Through a central virtual marketplace, residents and businesses will be able to purchase health care coverage and to apply for additional financial assistance offered by the government to make insurance more affordable. This system will allow all New Jerseyans to obtain the most appropriate health care coverage at the most competitive rates.”

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