This executive order repealed by EO
#97 Whitman.
WHEREAS, the
State of New Jersey has a compelling interest in ensuring that health
insurance remain accessible and affordable for all its citizens;
and
WHEREAS, it
is in the public interest to ensure that an appropriate balance
is struck between the mandated benefits that State law requires
insurers to provide to its insureds and allowing insurers flexibility
to structure their policies in a cost efficient manner to maximize
resources available for the delivery of quality health care and
minimize costs thereof; and
WHEREAS, the
Legislature has introduced several bills, including Assembly Bill
No. 1913, that mandate insurance coverage for specific medical procedures;
and
WHEREAS, future
piecemeal, uncoordinated legislative efforts to impose additional
mandated benefits upon health insurers and health maintenance organizations
will likely increase the cost of medical insurance policies for
all citizens of the State of New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, there
is a need for a comprehensive, coordinated review of all current
and pending mandated benefit legislation before any new measures
become law;
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, 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 created The Task Force on Mandated Health Insurance
Benefits. The Task Force shall consist of thirteen (13) members
as follows:
a. The
Commissioner of Health, the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance
and the State Treasurer, or their designees, shall serve as
ex-officio members of the Task Force.
b. The
Governor shall appoint the following members of the Task Force:
one (1) member representing the State's commercial health insurance
industry; one (1) representative from a health maintenance organization;
one (1) representative from the New Jersey Business and Industry
Association or from the State Chamber of Commerce; one (1) member
representing hospitals; and one (1) member representing physicians.
c. The
Task Force shall include five additional members. One (1) of
the members shall be appointed by the Governor. Two (2) of the
members shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, no
more than one (1) of whom shall be of the same political party.
Two (2) of the members shall be appointed by the Speaker of
the General Assembly, no more than one (1) of whom shall be
of the same political party.
2. The Governor
shall designate a chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Task
Force from among the foregoing members.
3. The Task
Force shall:
a. Evaluate
the impact on the quality of health care and the impact on the
cost of health care from mandated health benefits currently
required by State law and regulations;
b. Assess
the anticipated health benefits and estimated costs resulting
from pending legislative efforts to impose additional mandated
benefits;
c. Identify
and analyze cost-effective ways to minimize the impact of approved
mandated benefits upon the health care system;
d. Develop
recommended guidelines for determining whether additional benefits
should be mandated in the future; and
e. Consult
with the Health Wellness Promotion Advisory Board in the Department
of Health and Senior Services, which is charged with reviewing
medical testing and services that will encourage health care
consumers to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors.
4. The Task
Force shall present its findings and recommendations to the Governor
no later than one year from the date that the Task Force initially
convenes.
5. The Task
Force is authorized to call upon any department, office or agency
of State government to provide such information, resources or
other assistance deemed necessary to discharge its responsibilities
under this Order. Each department, office, or division and agency
of the State is hereby directed, to the extent not inconsistent
with law and within budgetary constraints, to cooperate with the
Task Force to furnish it with such information, personnel and
assistance as is necessary to accomplish the purposes of this
Order.
6. The Task
Force shall hold at least two (2) public hearings as it discharges
its responsibilities under this Order.
7. This
Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN,
under my hand and seal
this 12th day of March in the Year
of Our Lord, One Thousand Nine
Hundred and Ninety Nine, and of the
Independence of the United States,
the Two Hundred and Twenty Third.
/s/
Christine Todd Whitman
GOVERNOR
[seal]
Attest:
/s/ John J.
Farmer, Jr.
Chief Counsel to the Governor
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