TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, and Chairman of the New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, issued the following statement today in support of Congressman Frank Pallone’s announcement that he’s engaging New Jersey stakeholders in discussions on how to fix the nation’s broken health care system:
“I applaud Congressman Pallone for his approach to building a better national health care model – one which meets the needs of all Americans, and ensures access to quality care for everyone, regardless of age, race or income level. In New Jersey, the Congressman will be able to tap into a wealth of knowledge about how to do health care right, because we are on the front lines of ensuring adequate health care for all New Jerseyans.
“I’ve worked with Congressman Pallone in the past on issues pertaining to health care in New Jersey, and I can safely say that we have a great advocate in Washington on the issue. Whether it’s restoring SCHIP dollars to fund our expanded access to NJ FamilyCare or working to modernize the health care system to eliminate errors, every time I’ve worked with him, Congressman Pallone has shown to be receptive to all input as the Chair of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.
“New Jersey should be seen as a laboratory on ensuring access to quality care. We’ve taken steps to reach out to the uninsured and enroll them in appropriate care programs, and we’ve made the most of our limited health care resources, despite pressure to cut. Looking ahead, we can build on the lessons learned in New Jersey to help ensure fair, honest health care nationwide.
“I look forward to lending any support I can to the Congressman’s efforts, and eagerly anticipate the results. There’s no doubt about it – health care in this country is broken. But with input from all stakeholders, and a willingness to listen to the issues faced by people working on the front lines of healthcare, we can do better for future generations of Americans.”