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Pallone Urges Governor To Reconsider Health Cuts |
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Washington, DC -- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. sent the attached letter to Governor Chris Christie on Friday urging him to reconsider two changes to important health care services included in the governor's budget proposal for the next fiscal year. Changes to state prescription drug programs for seniors and to FamilyCare, the joint state and federal program that provides health coverage for needy families, will result in higher costs, fewer people taking advantage of the services and the loss of federal funds.
Congressman Pallone, a national leader on health care, was directly involved in creating the State Health Insurance Program 10 years ago - the federal partner of FamilyCare - and was the lead sponsor of the bill that re-authorized and expanded the program this year. The state receives a two-to-one match of federal funds.
The drug programs for seniors, the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled and Senior Gold, would require a $310 deductible and increased fees of $15 for brand name drugs. Currently, there is no deductible and the co-pay is $7.
"If approved, these changes would impose a substantial burden on New Jersey's senior citizens at a time when many are already having difficulty affording their medications," Pallone wrote in the correspondence, adding that the governor's proposal to FamilyCare would deny about 50,000 people health care coverage.
"I am well aware of the constraints you face in closing the state's budget gap," Pallone added. "However, I do not think that rationing several of the most important health programs in the state is the right answer." |
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