S2750

14 Mar: Vitale Bill To Protect Family Care Income Standards Advances In Committee

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would repeal unfair new income rules which would deny individuals access to the New Jersey FamilyCare program, a safety net program which provides health care access for uninsured New Jerseyans, was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today by a vote of 7-0, with one abstention.

“NJ FamilyCare represents a necessary safety net to help uninsured children and in some cases, their uninsured parents, access quality health care services,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, and co-chair of the Senate health panel. “At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet, the program has become a vital access point to primary care for many who might otherwise let health care slip by the wayside in favor of more immediate needs. By restricting access to this program, we’re putting people in jeopardy, and sending a message that access to quality health care isn’t a priority for the State of New Jersey.”