State of New Jersey
Executive Order #108

Governor James J. Florio

WHEREAS, the health of New Jersey women is at risk for conditions that could be detected by routine preventive care services; and

WHEREAS, the cost of these services is a major barrier to adequate care; and

WHEREAS, a large percentage of women have never had any of the basic preventive health care services, including Pap smears, clinical breast examinations, or complete physical examinations, which if undertaken would promote their long-term health; and

WHEREAS, poor, less educated, and minority women are more likely to be uninsured and, thus, not receive necessary medical care; and

WHEREAS, the level of collaboration between New Jersey health care providers, community and corporate leaders, and consumers, as evidenced by the first New Jersey Women's Health Summit held on September 10, 1993, attests to the degree of concern that exists for women's health issues in New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, as we enter an era of health care reform at the State and federal level, public and private efforts that assure universal health insurance coverage for comprehensive benefits, including preventive services, are essential to removing financial barriers to quality health care for all women;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES J. FLORIO, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. There is hereby established a Governor's Commission on Women's Health.

2. The Commission shall, within 12 months from the date of this Executive Order:

a. review and assess the system of delivery of health care services to women in New Jersey, and the costs of these services, in order to identify the needs of women and recommend ways to reduce costs and improve the quality and efficiency of these services;

b. prepare and submit a report to the Governor on the status of health care services for women in New Jersey, and make recommendations for policies and programs that will enhance the health and well-being of New Jersey's women, including recommended legislation or regulations.

3. The Commission shall consist of no more than 22 members appointed by the Governor. The Commission shall include the Commissioners of the following State departments: Community Affairs, Education, Health, Human Services, Insurance, Labor, and Law and Public Safety, or their designees. The remaining members shall be appointed by the Governor and shall include representatives of the medical, nursing, legal, education, social services and health care service agency communities.

4. The Commission members will serve without remuneration. 5. The Commissioner of Health will convene the Commission and the Department of Health shall provide the Commission with staff assistance.

6. The Governor shall designate the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Commission from among the members of the Commission.

7. The Commission shall further organize itself and set its own schedule for meetings as it deems necessary to complete its work.

8. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this
20th day of October in the Year of Our
Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and
Ninety Three, and of the Independence
of the United States, the Two Hundred
and Eighteenth.

/s/ James Florio
Governor

Attest:

/s/ Scott A. Weiner
Chief Counsel to the Governor