TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Jim Whelan which would establish a three-year pilot program in the Department of Human Services in order to make sure Medicaid recipients have access to quality health care is now law.
“I am pleased to have helped lead the effort to create a new model of care in NJ, which will encourage partnerships between providers and the government to efficiently provide effective, high quality and cost effective care to New Jersey’s most vulnerable populations,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “By using Medicaid to lead this effort, we hope to demonstrate to private insurance companies and employers that a more cost effective way to deliver services exists. Fortunately, with the support of private organizations like the Nicholson Foundation, New Jersey’s ACO pilot will serve as a national model.”
“Access to health care isn’t a privilege for the ultra-rich, but should be a right for all Americans, regardless of personal income or health insurance status,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “As we live up to our responsibility of ensuring everyone has access to appropriate, affordable health care, we have to be open to exploring newer, more cost-efficient modes of providing that care. The ACO model will incorporate cost-efficiency standards, results-based review and objective metrics to not only track our progress, but build a better health care system for the future.”