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TRENTON – The Senate approved legislation today sponsored by Senators Nia H. Gill, John H. Adler and Loretta Weinberg that would reform the individual and small employer health insurance markets, making health insurance policies in these markets more affordable for consumers.

“Time and again, the small business community has cited dramatically rising health care costs as a major hurdle that many businesses are finding difficult to handle,” said Senator Gill, D-Essex and Passaic. “They want to do the right thing and provide health care to their employees, but under the current laws, it can be difficult to qualify for entering the market and then afford the insurance. This bill is a critical step in providing more affordable health insurance for our state’s small business owners.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Ellen Karcher, Fred H. Madden and Loretta Weinberg that would create a task force to help promote cancer prevention, early detection and treatment received final legislative approval today by the Senate with a vote of 38-0.

“Early detection is the best way to help prevent cancer deaths,” said Senator Karcher, D-Mercer and Monmouth, who serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “The task force would work to help promote cancer awareness among high-risk New Jerseyans, as well as help to provide the best possible treatment for cancer patients. This must be about saving lives.”