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News Release

New Jersey Department of
Banking and Insurance


Commissioner Neil N. Jasey

For Immediate Release:
October 1, 2009

For Further Information:
Ed Rogan or Marshall McKnight (609) 292-5064


Commissioner Jasey and Senator Weinberg Tour Health Center to Highlight Nation-leading Increase in Healthcare Insurance Coverage

HACKENSACK – The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) Commissioner Neil N. Jasey met with Senator Loretta Weinberg and local officials today to tour the North Hudson Community Action Corporation Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), to spotlight the increased enrollment in the NJ FamilyCare health insurance program. Under Governor Corzine’s leadership, NJ FamilyCare has seen a net increase of nearly 100,000 children enrolled since 2006. Due largely to the Governor’s commitment in this effort, the number of New Jerseyans without health insurance decreased by more than 11% or 147,000 individuals, the second largest reduction in the nation between 2007 and 2008, according to the U.S. Census.

“New Jersey is absolutely setting the standard nationwide for innovative and progressive Children’s Health Insurance Program enrollment efforts,” Governor Corzine said. “Through our inter-departmental coordination and efforts, New Jersey is taking every opportunity we can to reach all eligible children and the results support our success.”

“Through the Governor’s initiatives, New Jersey continues to have eligibility for NJ FamilyCare set at 350% of the federal poverty level, which is one of the most generous levels in the nation,” said Commissioner Jasey. “In addition, New Jersey expanded this program to cover all parents up to 200% of the federal poverty level.”
 
Commissioner Jasey and Senator Weinberg congratulated North Hudson Community Action Health Center staff during their tour today of the Bergen County FQHC. The health center provides affordable health care to many NJ FamilyCare patients who are able to have greater access to quality healthcare.

“New Jersey is setting the national standard to ensure our families have secure and affordable health care and our children have a healthy start in life,” said Senator Weinberg. “And, we know that enrolling more children in NJ FamilyCare makes economic sense. Individuals with health insurance will receive more appropriate preventive care, stay healthier, and strengthen our health care system.”

“The North Hudson Community Health Center here in Hackensack is on the front lines of Governor Corzine’s fight to ensuring every child in New Jersey has health insurance. Today’s tour shows that he is making great progress toward that goal, but we have more to do and we will continue to work together in achieving it,” said Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle.

“Working families cannot build a strong economic future for their children without stable, secure and affordable health insurance and that is what the Corzine Administration continues to fight for,” said Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson.

New Jersey also implemented a first-in-the-nation Express Lane Eligibility project. Under this initiative, NJ FamilyCare applications have been sent to families who indicated on their 2008 state tax forms that at least one child in their household was uninsured. Nearly 3,000 children have been enrolled in its first three months.

“The Governor’s leadership has increased NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid enrollment for children and adults by 24 percent since 2006,” said Commissioner Jasey. “Through his multi-departmental initiative we are all working to achieve the goal of ensuring our children receive the health care they deserve.”

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