Health Care for America Now New Jersey (NJ HCAN)
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- National Health Care Reform Bill Passes After Long-fought Fight!
- What Does National Reform Mean for NJ? — Reports Below
- Recent Event Highlights
- What Health Reform Means for NJ Seniors
- Physician Payment Sunshine Act
- Background on the NJ HCAN Campaign
- NJ Policymakers who Support Quality, Affordable Health Care for All
- HCAN In the News
What Next? Making It Work for New Jersey
A Statewide Health Care Implementation Conference
Thank you for attending the Health Care Implementation Conference on June 8, 2010 and making it a huge success! Special thanks to Community Catalyst, all the panelists, our planning committee, and all the conference participants — your breadth of knowledge, diversity, thoughtful questions, and feedback made this a truly dynamic and substantive event.
Now that we have set the stage for implementation in our state, it is time to roll up our sleeves and get the work done. Please join us in taking the next steps to support implementation by joining our NJ for Health Care Coalition. With your help we can ensure that our state maximizes the benefits available to us through the federal health reform law. Please sign on to the NJ for Health Care coalition to get more involved.
Click here to see all Materials from Conference.
National Health Care Reform Bill Passes After Long-fought Fight!
On Sunday evening, March 21, 2010 the U.S. House of Representatives PASSED comprehensive national health care reform by a vote of 219 to 212. For the first time in history, a comprehensive health care bill has passed both Houses of Congress. The bill will give health care to 32 million Americans and save over 30,000 lives per year. And it will regulate the insurance companies so they can no longer deny care for pre-existing conditions, charge you more if you're sick, put limits on your benefits, or increase rates with impunity.
Immediate benefits will include the opportunity to keep adult children on family health insurance policies up to age 26 and relief for seniors who have fallen into the Medicare Prescription Drug "donut hole."
Not one Republican voted for the bill. In New Jersey — only one Democrat voted against the bill: Rep. John Adler (NJ-03).
CALL Toll Free: 1-877-264-4226 to THANK members of Congress who voted YES and express your disappointment to the ones who voted NO.
How NJ's Members Voted:
YES — Representatives Rothman, Pascrell, Sires, Payne, Pallone, Holt and Andrews
NO — Representatives Adler, Garrett, Frelinghuysen, Lance, Smith and LoBiondo
To find out how your Representative voted click here.
What Does the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Mean for New Jersey?
Read the recent analysis by New Jersey Policy Perspective!
- New Jersey has more uninsured people than most states and will receive more federal aid. By 2019 nearly one million New Jerseyans will receive insurance at a cost to the federal government of about $25 billion over ten years.
- Prescription drug coverage will be subsidized to a greater degree by the federal government for more elderly and disabled people in New Jersey. Reform will provide about $57 million in relief for 227,000 Medicare Part D beneficiaries in New Jersey. We will receive over $15 million for over 30,000 PAAD and Senior Gold beneficiaries. All 1.3 million Medicare beneficiaries in New Jersey will benefit from provisions of the new law like no cost sharing for prevention services and free, annual wellness visits.
- Small businesses will benefit. Health reform will provide tax credits this year to most of the 215,000 businesses with fewer than 25 employees to offset the cost of providing health coverage for their employees.
- More adults will be eligible for affordable health coverage. All adults in poverty will become eligible for either Medicaid or other affordable insurance in the Exchange starting in 2014. The federal government will pay all health costs (about $150 million annually) for adults who do not have children and are on General Assistance.
- New Jersey's pharmaceutical companies will benefit. New Jersey has one of the largest concentrations of pharmaceutical companies in the world. Health reform in effect provides them with up to 32 million new insured customers nationwide because health plans will be required to provide prescription drugs.
- The increase in federally funded Medicaid reimbursement rates to New Jersey primary care physicians will be the highest in the nation. Health reform will require Medicaid to pay the same rates as Medicare in 2013 and 2014 to primary care physicians to make this care more accessible. Because New Jersey has the lowest Medicaid payment rate in the nation (37 percent of the Medicare rate) this rate will almost triple and will be funded entirely with federal funds.
- More New Jersey hospitals will benefit. A reduction in the number of uninsured people should result in less demand for state-funded charity care beginning in 2014. Increasing the number of New Jerseyans with health insurance will help reverse hospital distress.
- The new law allows New Jersey to provide better health care and share its cost with the federal government. Given growing health care costs and the associated decline in the number of businesses offering health insurance to their employees, it was only a matter of time before health care reform would have come to New Jersey at a cost borne entirely by the state. National health reform has taken this pressure off the state and will provide a winning situation for all.
To find out how the House Bill will impact YOUR Congressional District click here.
More Resources For:
Consumers
- Five Immediate Consumer Benefits (HCAN).
- Health Care Reform Will Improve Coverage and Secure Quality of Care (Community Catalyst).
- Key Implementation Timeline and Benchmarks (HCAN).
- Talking Points on National Health Care Reform (HCAN).
- How Does Health Reform Work? (Center for American Progress).
- Summary of National Health Care Reform Legislation & Reconciliation Amendment Changes (Community Catalyst).
- Summary of National Health Care Reform Bills (HCAN).
- Summary of the Reconciliation ("Fix-It") Bill (HCAN).
- Summary of National Health Care Reform and Reconciliation Amendment Changes (Community Catalyst).
- What Will the New Health Reform Law Do in the First Year? (Families USA).
- Health Reform Central — the Road to Implementation (Families USA).
Economic Impact
- How Health Reform’s Modernizations will Reduce Health Care Spending by $2 Trillion (Center for American Progress).
- Better Health Care at Lower Costs. (Center for American Progress).
- Health Reform Will Create Up to 4 Million Jobs in the Next Decade (Center for American Progress).
- Health Reform and the Federal Deficit.(Center for American Progress).
- Controlling Health Care Costs — The Critical Element.(Center for American Progress).
Women & Families
- What Health Reform Will do for Women and Families (by Raising Women’s Voices).
- Pros and Cons of Health Reform for Women's Reproductive Health (by Raising Women's Voices).
- Impact of Health Reform on Children and Families (Policy Room).
Students & Young Adults
- Dependent Coverage Expansion: Frequently Asked Questions (the Young Invincibles) — Young adults, age 19 to 29, have the highest uninsured rate of any age group in the United States making up about 30% of the uninsured. Generally, young adults have less access to coverage at work. At the same time, the recession and job loss is getting worse for young people under 30 years. Young voters (under 30) have experienced the largest uptick in job loss since January, with 28% reporting that they personally have lost a job.
Seniors
- Health Reform Impact on Medicare (Medicare Rights Center).
Low-Income People
- Key Medicaid, CHIP, and Low-Income Provisions in the Health Care Reform Package (Georgetown University Health Policy Institute).
Small Businesses
- Small Businesses and the Final Health Reform Package: 5 Need to Know Points (Main Street Alliance).
- Big Benefits for Small Businesses in Health Reform (White House).
- Six Ways Health Reform Will Help Small Businesses (White House).
- Interactive Health Care Calculator for Small Businesses (Center for American Progress).
Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Scenarios
- IRS Eligibility Standards and Resources (IRS).
- 3 Simple Steps (IRS).
Public Statements
- NJ Citizen Action.
- Family Voices NJ.
- Congressman Frank Pallone.
- Congressman Rush Holt Statement.
- Congressman Steven Rothman Statement.
- Congressman Bill Pascrell Statement.
Tell Governor Chris Christie NOT to pursue legal action to block enactment of national health care reform!
Call Governor Christie at 609-292-6000 or CLICK HERE to send an email!
Attorneys general in 14 states have filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of national health reform. Governor Christie is considering pursuing similar anti-health care reform action. The Governor is discussing the matter with Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Health Coummissioner Poonam Alaigh.
There is both legal and policy precedent for national health care reform including the individual mandate requiring people purchase health insurance. An insurance mandate is incorporated in New Jersey's KidsFirst initiative that requires all New Jersey Children have health insurance, a 2008 law that was passed with broad bi-partisan support by the State Legislature.
We OPPOSE any legal, legislative or other action by the Governor to block implementation of this historic legislation.
- NJ For Health Care Open Letter to Governor Christie.
- NJ Main Street Alliance Open Letter to Governor Christie.
- NJ For Health Care Press Release.
Additional Resources:
- The Constitutionality of Mandates to Purchase Health Insurance (Georgetown University, O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law).
- Mandatory Health Insurance: Is It Constitutional? (American Constitution Society for Law and Policy).
- Health Care Reform is Constitutional (Politico, by Erwin Chemerinsky).
- Unraveling Reform Would Leave Millions Without Affordable Care (Center for American Progress).
- Quick Wins: Who Will Be Helped Right Away By the New Health Care Reform Law? (Community Catalyst)
News Coverage: "Sen. Robert Menendez Talks Immigration Reform, Health Care And Offshore Drilling With Star-Ledger's Editorial Board" (Star-Ledger — April 1, 2010 VIDEO NEWS SEGMENT), "Menendez Touts Health Care Law At EHMC" (NorthJersey.com — April 1, 2010), "Sen. Menendez Speaks About Health Care Reform" (News 12 — March 29, 2010 VIDEO NEWS SEGMENT), "Vote Over, Vast Divide Remains" (Home News Tribune / MyCentralJersey.com — March 22, 2010), "Most Criticize Health Reform Bill As Bad For Small Business" (NJBIZ — March 22, 2010), "Middle Class In New Jersey Becoming Uninsured Faster Than All Other Groups" (The Record / NorthJersey.com — March 18, 2010).
What Does National Reform Mean for NJ? — Reports Below
Federal Health Reform Provides Critical
Long-Term Help to States
On Monday, March 29, 2010 NJ Citizen Action released a new report by the Health Care For America Now Campaign, titled "Federal Health Reform Provides Critical Long-Term Help to States," demonstrating how New Jersey will benefit from federal health care reform legislation passed and signed into law in March 2010. The report shows that a total of $900.8 billion in new federal funds will flow to the states from 2010 through 2019, with $473 billion allocated to help families afford private health insurance coverage and $427 billion to supplement state Medicaid programs.
New Jersey will receive $28 billion increase in federal funding for Medicaid and private health insurance subsidies between 2014 and 2019. That's $13.5 billion for Medicaid and $12.5 billion for subsidies.
- Full Report.
- Press Release.
- News Coverage: "Proponents Claim New Jersey To Get Big Financial Boost From Health Care Reform" (New Jersey Newsroom — March 29, 2010), "Menendez Outlines Benefits For N.J. Under New Health Care Law" (The Record / NorthJersey.com — March 29, 2010).
The Cost of Failure to Enact Health Reform: 2010 – 2020
This new report shows that the cost of failure to enact national health care reform would be high, especially for middle-class families. Under the worst-case scenario, failure to pass national reform would result in:
- The number of uninsured Americans increasing from 49.4 million in 2010 to 59.7 million in 2015 and 67.6 million in 2020.
- A larger share of the uninsured coming from middle- and higher-income families.
- Premiums becoming increasingly expensive for employers and their workers.
- Offers of coverage falling significantly for workers in small and medium firms.
- Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance (CHIP) enrollment and costs increasing substantially.
- Employers seeing large increases in premium costs.
- Uncompensated care costs more than doubling.
- Health care costs paid directly by families increasing significantly.
Resources
- Full Report.
- NJCAEF's Press Statement.
- Cost of Failure Uninsured Fact Sheet.
- Cost of Failure CHIP Fact Sheet.
- Cost of Failure Employer Fact Sheet.
- Cost of Failure Uncompensated Care Fact Sheet.
NJ Policy Perspective Report — What National Health Reform Means for New Jersey
On February 24, 2010, the NJ Consumer Voices for Coverage (CVC) Leadership Team released a new report by Ray Castro, Senior Policy Analyst at NJ Policy Perspective, analyzing the impact of national health care reform on New Jersey. NJ CVC was joined by Congressman Rush Holt (NJ-12) in explaining the benefits of comprehensive national health reform including expanded coverage, improved quality, and lower health care costs for New Jersey residents.
The Report looks at key provisions of the House and Senate health care bills and President Obama's health reform proposal released on Monday, February 22nd and recommends which elements of each proposal best serve the Garden State.
- Read the Report: "Estimated Impact of Health Reform Bills Passed by the House and Senate on New Jersey."
- Summary of the Report.
- Press Release.
- List of Press Conference Speakers.
- Statement of Eve Weissman, NJ Citizen Action Education Fund.
- Dr. Jeffrey Brenner, MD, Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers.
- Kelly Conklin, NJ Main Street Alliance.
- News Coverage: "Picking The Best Health Care Policy For N.J. Businesses" (NJBIZ — January 28, 2009).
The Right Rx for NJ — National Health Care Reform
On October 8, 2009 members of the NJ For Health Care Coalition released a new report by NJ Policy Perspective that shows the impact of the health care bill currently in the US House of Representatives on New Jersey's public health and economy.
The report analyzes the major provisions in "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009" (HR 3200) and describes how the bill will benefit New Jersey residents including low and middle income families, small businesses, children, adults, seniors, people with disabilities, and the uninsured. It is the first and only comprehensive analysis examining the impact of HR 3200 on New Jerseyans to date. New Jersey Policy Perspective has also broken down the information by county and Congressional District.
- Key Findings.
- Complete Report.
- Congressional District and County Breakout Data.
- List of Speakers.
- Statement of Ray Castro, NJ Policy Perspective.
- Statement of Eve Weissman, NJ Citizen Action Education Fund.
- Statement of Kelly Conklin, NJ Main Street Alliance.
- Statement of Reverend Bruce Davidson, Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry of NJ.
- Press Release.
- News Coverage: "Report 'Prescribes' Public Option To State" (Daily Targum — October 12, 2009), "N.J.'s Public Health, Economy 'Threatened' Without Universal Care, Report Says" (Star-Ledger – October 8, 2009) and "Report: Health Care Reform Bill Would Benefit N.J." (New Jersey Newsroom – October 8, 2009).
Photos from the "The Right Rx for NJ" Press Conference |
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| Ray Castro, Senior Policy Analyst at NJ Policy Perspective and author of the report explains the findings | Reverend Bruce Davidson, Director of the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry of NJ | Kelly Conklin, Small Business Owner in Bloomfield, NJ and Spokesperson for the NJ Main Street Alliance discusses the need to reform health care from a small business perspective |
Out-Of-Pocket Health Care Costs Could Increase by More than 35 Percent in Every State by 2019
A report commissioned by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) projects that if national health care reform is not enacted, the cost of failure will be substantial. In every state, the number of uninsured will increase, employer-sponsored insurance coverage will continue to erode, spending on public programs will balloon and out-of-pocket health care costs for individuals and families could increase by more than 35 percent over the next decade. While people at all income levels will be affected, middle-class working families would be hardest hit.
The report shows that within 10 years:
- As many as 1.9 million New Jersey residents could be uninsured - up from 1.4 million this year.
- The average New Jersey resident would see his/her health care spending rise by as much as 67.8%.
- New Jersey employers would see premiums continue to skyrocket - increasing up to 101.6%.
- New Jersey government would see Medicaid/CHIP spending rise by as much as 105.7%.
- The amount of uncompensated care in New Jersey would increase by as much as 138.6%.
Resources
- Press Release.
- Complete Report.
- News Coverage: "Report Says Failure To Reform Health Care Will Be Costly" (Patriot — October 1, 2009).
Families USA Report — Health Insurance Premiums Outpacing Paychecks for NJ Residents!
Over the past decade, the cost of health insurance has skyrocketed, while working families' wages have merely inched upward. As the recession lingers on, this situation continues to worsen. Reduced hours and job losses have left millions of families struggling to afford their share of premiums and millions more with no coverage at all. The combination of stagnant wages and rising health care costs is placing a growing strain on family budgets, and many families have reached a breaking point. Quite simply, America's families are being priced out of health coverage.
In addition to higher premiums, working families now face higher out-of-pocket health care costs, such as higher deductibles, copayments, and costs for services that are not covered by their insurance plans. As a result, health care costs are consuming an ever-larger portion of family budgets. It is clear why many families feel worse off economically than they did a decade ago.
This report, which is based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, examines what these trends mean for New Jersey's working families.
"The Clock Is Ticking: More Americans Losing Health Coverage"
"The Clock Is Ticking: More Americans Losing Health Coverage" (full report here), from Families USA, says the most important factor causing the loss of health coverage is the rising cost of health care premiums.
The report is the first-ever state-by-state projection of the number of people who will lose coverage between January 2008 — the period immediately following the last Census Bureau report — and the end of the 111th Congress in December 2010. The report says, for New Jersey during that time period, an estimated 199,110 people will lose their health coverage. From 2008 through 2010 in New Jersey:
- 1,280 people will lose their health coverage, on average, every week;
- 5,530 people will lose their health coverage, on average, every month; and
- 66.370 people will lose their health coverage every year.
The report is available online, and a copy of the report methodology is available upon request. Click here to read FamiliesUSA's original of this Press Release.
- News Coverage: "Health Care Group Says 200K More N.J. Residents In Danger Of Becoming Uninsured By 2010" (Star-Ledger — July 15, 2009).
New Report: "Unequal Lives: Health Care Discrimination Harms Communities of Color in New Jersey"
On July 15, 2009, the NJ Health Care for America Now (HCAN) Campaign released a new report titled "Unequal Lives: Health Care Discrimination Harms Communities of Color in New Jersey."
The report shows how communities of color are adversely affected by our nation's broken health care system and emphasized the need for comprehensive health care reform that corrects this inequality and injustice.
- List of Speakers.
- Statement of James Woodson, NJ Citizen Action.
- Statement of Selina Winchester, Planned Parenthood.
- Statement of Ray Castro, NJ Policy Perspective.
- Press Release.
- Complete Report.
- News Coverage: "Minorities Would Benefit From Health Care Reform" (New Jersey Newsroom — July 15, 2009), and "Health Care Discrimination Harms Communities Of Color In N.J." (WBAI — July 15, 2009 — AUDIO NEWS INTERVIEW with NJCA Health Care Organizer James Woodson).
"Two Proposals to Pay for Health Care Reform Without Hurting Struggling Families in New Jersey"
On July 7, 2009, NJ Citizen Action, the NJ Health Care for America Now (HCAN) Campaign, and Citizens for Tax Justice released a new report titled "Two Proposals to Pay for Health Care Reform Without Hurting Struggling Families in New Jersey." It lays out options for paying for quality, affordable health care reform that includes a public health insurance option.
The report, prepared by Citizens for Tax Justice, discusses reforming the Medicare tax and limiting itemized deductions for the wealthiest Americans. The report includes comprehensive, New Jersey-specific information on the limited impact of these proposals on the New Jersey population.
"NJ Health-Plan Premiums Soar As Insurers Face Less Competition"
On June 19, 2009, NJ Citizen Action, BlueWaveNJ, Communication Workers of America Local 1032, and the NJ Health Care for America Now (HCAN) released a new report entitled "New Jersey Health-Plan Premiums Soar As Insurers Face Less Competition" (full text here). The report demonstrates how the lack of competition in New Jerseys health insurance market is causing skyrocketing premiums for both patients and employers, and showing the need for a strong national public health insurance option. The report was authored by the Institute for Americas Future.
- Press Release (includes a List of Speakers).
- Complete Report.
- Statement of Eve Weissman, NJ Citizen Action.
Recent Event Highlights
Rally Celebrates & Informs: 6-Month Anniversary of Affordable Care Act
On September 23, 2010, NJ Citizen Action, NJ for Health Care, NJPIRG Student Chapters, and the NJ Main Street Alliance hosted a rally, at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, to celebrate the new benefits of the Affordable Care Act, and help to educate our peers about the new law. It is now six months old and several new provisions officially take effect.
The "R U Insured?" Rally brought together students, health care advocates, small business owners, and seniors to celebrate the Affordable Care Act's six-month anniversary. The focus of the event was on what health care reform means for each of us, and to help spread the word. People shared first-hand stories about how they are benefiting from the new law. Participants also distributed healthcare-themed zines and a new report on the health benefits for young adults to students and faculty.
- News Coverage: "Rally At 6-Month Anniversary Of Health Care Law" (WBAI Evening News — September 23, 2010 AUDIO NEWS INTERVIEW), "Six-Month Anniversary Of U.S. Health Care Law Ushers In New Benefits" (Star-Ledger — September 23, 2010), "Students Celebrate Health Care Legislation" (Daily Targum — September 23, 2010).
Thank You Senator Robert Menendez Event
On Monday, March 29, 2010 health care advocates from across the state gathered at Englewood Hospital to thank US Senator Robert Menendez for his leadership in the winning fight for comprehensive national health care reform. Senator Menendez is a proven health reform champion for New Jersey and has demonstrated his commitment to quality, affordable health care for all time and time again. Hard work millions of New Jerseyans can look forward to the security of good health care at a price we can afford. Tens of thousands of residents will no longer have to worry about being denied care or going bankrupt trying to pay for the care we need.
- NJ Citizen Action, NJ For Health Care, and HCAN Press Release.
- Senator Menendez's Office Press Release.
- Statement of Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Executive Director of NJ Citizen Action.
- News Coverage: "Sen. Robert Menendez Talks Immigration Reform, Health Care And Offshore Drilling With Star-Ledger's Editorial Board" (Star-Ledger — April 1, 2010 VIDEO NEWS SEGMENT), "Menendez Touts Health Care Law At EHMC" (NorthJersey.com — April 1, 2010), "Menendez Outlines Benefits For N.J. Under New Health Care Law" (The Record / NorthJersey.com — March 29, 2010), "Sen. Menendez Speaks About Health Care Reform" (News 12 — March 29, 2010 VIDEO NEWS SEGMENT).
Thank You Congressman Frank Pallone Event
On Friday, March 26, 2010 nearly 100 health care supporters and advocates from across the State gathered at the Chandler Health Center in New Brunswick to thank Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) for being a leader in the fight for comprehensive national health care reform. Congressman Pallone was greeted with a standing ovation upon arriving home from DC after passing historic health reform though Congress that will expand health coverage to 32 million people, including over 859,000 New Jerseyans, stop insurance company abuses, strengthen Medicaid and Medicare, close the donut hole for seniors and give all of us the security and peace of mind that if you lose your job, you will still have affordable health care.
- Press Release.
- Statement of Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Executive Director of NJ Citizen Action.
- Speakers List.
- Photo Gallery.
- News Coverage: "Rep. Pallone Leads Cheers At Gathering To Celebrate Health-Care Reforms" (Home News Tribune / MyCentralJersey.com — March 26, 2010), "Home From Health Care Passage, Pallone Says He's Not Interested In Being Governor" (PolitickerNJ — March 26, 2010).
DC Action Against Health Insurance Industry
On March 9, 2010, NJ Citizen Action joined Health Care for America Now (HCAN) and partners across the state and country to bring thousands of people to Washington DC to protest the health insurance industry's ongoing campaign to protect their massive profits by blocking comprehensive national health care reform.
We amassed outside the Ritz Carlton Hotel as the health insurance industry held a conference inside. We blocked the streets with a massive crowd holding signs and crime tape and chanting 'hey hey ho ho, insurance companies got to go!' We generated major state and national news coverage and sent a clear message to Congress: listen to the people, not the insurances companies! Thank you to everyone who joined us, spread the word, and helped make this historic day a major success!
- Flyer.
- Press Release.
- Photo Gallery.
- News Coverage: "Healthcare Reform Rally in D.C." (WBAI Evening News — March 9, 2010 AUDIO NEWS INTERVIEW), "Health Care Protests in D.C." (ABC News — March 9, 2010 VIDEO NEWS SEGMENT), "The People Arrest The Insurance Companies" (YouTube / Health Care For America Now — March 9, 2010 VIDEO NEWS SEGMENT), "N.J. Labor Groups Join Health Care Reform Rally In D.C." (The Record / NorthJersey.com — March 9, 2010).
Health Care National Day of Action!
NJ Citizen Action and Partners Rally for Health Reform!
On February 17, 2010, NJ Citizen Action and NJ For Health Care organized 21 actions at local businesses, college campuses, health centers, labor unions, and social service agencies across the State including Rallies at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair and on Main Street in Highland Park. Hundreds of NJ voters made calls and sent emails to Congress — demanding that they pass real reform now!
- List of Events.
- Flyer and Talking Points.
- Press Release.
- Photo Gallery.
- News Coverage: "NJ Voters Rally For Health Care Reform" (NJToday.net — February 18, 2010), "Highland Park, Montclair Rallies Held For Health Care Reform" (Star-Ledger — February 17, 2010), "Healthcare Reform Day of Action" (WBAI Evening News — February 17, 2010 AUDIO NEWS INTERVIEW), "N.J. Activists To Rally Statewide For Health Care Reform" (New Jersey Newsroom — February 16, 2010), "Angry At The High Cost Of Health Insurance Premiums? Reform Advocates Say: 'Take To The Streets'" (Star-Ledger — February 16, 2010).
Joint NJ–NY Health Care Event in Jersey City
On December 18, 2009, Health Care supporters from New Jersey and New York joined together, at the Exchange Place Pier in Jersey City, NJ, to show that we're all in this together!
"Time to Deliver" Event
On October 20, 2009 NJ Citizen Action, Democracia Ahora, the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR)/SEIU, the NJ Main Street Alliance, and the NJ HCAN Campaign delivered over 600 petition signatures and handwritten letters to the Marlton office of Rep. John Adler (NJ-3) to demonstrate the widespread support among his constituents for real health care reform with the choice of a national public health insurance option and to urge him to deliver by supporting HR 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.
Photos from the "Time to Deliver" Event |
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| A Rep. Adler staffer accepts the over 600 petition signatures and handwritten letters delivered by members of the NJ HCAN Campaign and NJ Main Street Alliance. | Members of the NJ HCAN Campaign deliver over 600 petition signatures and handwritten letters to Rep. Adler's office urging him to deliver on health care reform and vote YES on HR 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009. | From left to right: NJCA-HCAN organizer James Woodson; CIR/SEIU organizer Victor Rosado; Democracia Ahora NJ Coordinator Fernando Trevino-Martinez; NJCA-HCAN organizer Leo Torrey; and CIR/SEIU organizer Cliff Freid. | ||
"We're Counting on You" Rally
On October 15, 2009, NJ Citizen Action, NJ Main Street Alliance, and the NJ HCAN Campaign participated in a National Day of Action coordinated by MoveOn.org to thank Senators who support real health care reform and call out those who don't.
Here in New Jersey, despite bad weather, supporters of the public option gathered in front of One Gateway Center in Newark to thank NJ Senators Menendez and Lautenberg for their continued support of quality, affordable health care for all with the choice of a national public health insurance option.
"Big Insurance: Sick Of It" Rally at Horizon BCBSNJ Offices
On September 22, 2009, NJ Citizen Action, the NJ Health Care For America Now Campaign, and MoveOn.org participated in a National Day of Action targeting private health insurance industry bad practices by holding a press conference and rally outside of the Corporate Offices of Horizon BlueCross BlueShield NJ in Newark, NJ.
Protestors highlighted the need for real health care reform with the choice of a national public health insurance option and demanded that health insurance companies, like Horizon BlueCross BlueShield, agree to "stop denying our care!"
- List of Speakers.
- Press Release.
- Open Letter to Horizon BlueCross BlueShield President and CEO William Marino
- Statement of Leo Torrey, NJCA Organizer.
- Health Care Horror Story from HCAN Partner and Family Voices NJ Coordinator Lauren Agoratus.
- Photo Gallery.
- News Coverage: "Healthcare Reform National Day of Action" (WBAI Evening News — September 21, 2009 AUDIO NEWS INTERVIEW).
- Video Coverage: iReport News and AOL Video.
Rutgers University "Let's Get It Done" Rally
On September 10, 2009, the NJ Health Care For America Now (HCAN) Campaign, NJ Citizen Action, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of NJ, Rutgers AAUP-AFT, Radigals, RU-Choice, RU-NAACP, the American Medical Students Association (AMSA), and students from across Rutgers University-New Brunswick came together to rally and generate student support for health care reform with real affordability for middle class families and the choice of a national public health insurance option — sending a message to Members of Congress that Americans of all ages support quality, affordable health care for all in 2009.
- Media Advisory.
- Statement of James Woodson, NJCA Central Jersey Organizer.
- List of Speakers.
- Photo Gallery.
- News Coverage: "Health Care Divisions Grow Sharper Around N.J." (The Record / NorthJersey.com — September 11, 2009), "Groups Advocate For Health Care Reform" (Daily Targum — September 10, 2009), "Rutgers Students Rally To Support Health Care Reform" (Star-Ledger — September 10, 20099 VIDEO NEWS SEGMENT).
Health Care Supporters Fill Congressman Pascrell's (NJ-08) Health Care Town Hall
On September 3, 2009 the NJ Health Care For America Now (HCAN) Campaign, NJ Citizen Action, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of NJ, SEIU NJ State Council, BlueWave NJ, the NJ Main Street Alliance, and hundreds of grassroots activists and volunteers from across the State, crowded into Montclair State University's Memorial Auditorium for Congressman Bill Pascrell's (NJ-08) Town Hall forum about national health care reform. Over 900 people filled the room. A majority of the crowd wore Health Care for America Now stickers and brought hand-made signs.
- Press Release.
- Photo Gallery.
- News Coverage: "Welcome To The (Health Reform Debate) Madhouse" (Baristanet — September 4, 2009), "Pascrell Stands By Public Healthcare Option" (PolitickerNJ — September 3, 2009), and "U.S. Rep. Pascrell's Healthcare Town Hall Draws Heated Crowd Reactions" (Star-Ledger — September 3, 2009).
Health Care Reform Candlelight Vigil
Over 150 central NJ residents came together for a candlelight vigil in Highland Park, NJ on September 2, 2009. Participants shared personal health care stories and called on Congress to pass real reform, guaranteeing quality, affordable health care for all, including the choice of a public health insurance option.
- Statement by Eve Weissman, Health Care Campaign Coordinator for NJ Citizen Action
- Photo Gallery.
- News Coverage: "Supporters Of Health-Insurance Reform Rally In Highland Park" (MyCentralJersey.com — September 2, 2009) and "Health Care Reform Vigil Draws Support For Public Plan Option" (Daily Targum — September 3, 2009).
NJ Senator Robert Menendez Calls for Health Care Reform
On September 1, 2009, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, was joined by former insurance industry executive Wendell Potter, NJ Citizen Action, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and New Jersey families for a Press Conference at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, NJ highlighting the urgent need for health care reform.
- Press Release.
- Photo Gallery.
- News Coverage: "U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Commited To Health Care Insurance Reform, Dispels Misinformation, Highlights Need Through Patients" (PolitickerNJ — September 2, 2009).
Rally at the Beach in Belmar: Canvass for National Health Reform
On Sunday, August 23, 2009, Health Care For America Now (HCAN), NJ Citizen Action, Monmouth for Change, Grassroots4Change, South Jersey NOW–Alice Paul Chapter, the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, and over 100 NJ health care advocates gathered at the Beach in Belmar to rally for quality, affordable heath care for all as a part of HCAN National Canvass Day!
HCAN's "No Recess for Health Care" Canvass Day is one of hundreds of events taking place nationwide over the Congressional recess in support of comprehensive health care reform.
Health Care For America Now Rally and Lobby Day
Thank you to EVERYONE who joined NJ Citizen Action and the NJ Health Care For America Now Campaign in Washington D.C. on June 25th! Nearly 1,000 people boarded buses across New Jersey for an action-packed day!
10,000 people from 44 states joined together for a Rally at Upper Senate Park followed by a joint New Jersey – New York – Maryland Town Hall.
The message to Congress was loud and clear: Pass Quality, Affordable Health Care for All in 2009 with a Public Health Insurance Plan!
- Video.
- Photo Gallery.
- News Coverage: "Senators Claim $1 Trillion Health Bill In Reach" (Associated Press — June 26, 2009), "Falco Urges Health Care Overhaul At Capitol Rally" (Associated Press — June 26, 2009), "Big Capitol Hill Rally For Health Care" (Politico — June 25, 2009), "Specter: Schumer Has It Right On The Public Option" (Talking Points Memo — June 25, 2009), "Health Care Advocates Rally On Capitol Hill" (The Wall Street Journal — June 25, 2009).
"Day of Action for Health Care Reform" in Montclair
On May 30, 2009, the NJ Health Care for America Now Coalition, NJ Citizen Action, BlueWave NJ and the NJ Main Street Alliance joined together for a Health Care Day of Action in Montclair, NJ.
People from throughout NJ came together to learn how to talk to their local neighborhoods about health care reform, and how to write letters to Members of Congress urging them to pass quality, affordable health care for all.
This Health Care Day of Action also included a press conference calling for national health care reform that will work for each of us and our families, our neighbors and the business community.
"Health Care Town Hall"
On, Tuesday, April 14, 2009 New Jersey residents from across the State packed the room at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Montclair, NJ for a successful Town Hall Meeting on National Health Care Reform.
Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-6), Chairman of the Health Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Richard Kirsch, National Campaign Manager of the Health Care for America Now (HCAN) Campaign, David McCann, Executive Director of SEIU New Jersey State Council, Kelly Conklin, a small business owner and spokesperson for the NJ Main Street Alliance, Manel Silva, MD, MPH, Director of the NY Chapter of the National Physicians Alliance, and Sy Larson, State President of AARP-NJ spoke at the event sponsored by Health Care for America Now and NJ Citizen Action.
Small business owners, workers, consumers and veterans shared personal stories of the struggles they face in obtaining good quality, affordable health insurance for themselves, their families and in some cases, their employees.
THANK YOU to EVERYONE who attended and helped to make the Town Hall a success!
- Press Release.
- News Coverage from April 16 and April 30, 2009.
- Photo Gallery.
- Video as HCAN national campaign manager Richard Kirsch, NJ Congressman Frank Pallone, and other community leaders talk about the need for health care reform at this HCAN Town Hall meeting in Montclair.
"Bridge to Health Care"
Thanks to everyone who worked so hard, inside a very short timeframe, on the HCAN Bridge to Health Care rally and march we held at the Ben Franklin Bridge on Saturday, April 4, 2009! It was a great mass-mobilization event that created a lot of energy around the urgent need for real reform that will provide quality, affordable health care for all in 2009.
The spirit of the event was wonderful and everyone who participated seemed to really enjoy it. We had over 100 people participate on the NJ side and over 250 people on the PA side for a combined number of participants over 350! That's really important, as it will help motivate people and help us continue to build our army to engage in the long, hard work we are going to have to do between now and a final vote on a health care bill in Congress this fall.
Also, Fox Philly News, WHYY, The City Paper, the Courier News, and News Dev Site all covered the story. It was a beautiful day, the walk was fun, meeting folks from Pennsylvania was exciting, and it really felt like we part of a growing movement!
- Photos at Flickr (from PA HCAN's Marc Stiers) and Picasa (from NJCA's Jim Walsh).
- Photo Gallery (with pictures from PA HCAN, NJ HCAN, and Grassroots4Change).
- Video.
Press Conference with Congressman Rush Holt
On October 16, 2008, NJ Citizen Action, 1199 SEIU Health Care Workers East, the NJ Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministries, the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, Middlesex County Monday Morning Network and the NJ Region of the Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring held a Press Conference for Congressman Rush Holt publicly signing the Health Care For America Now (HCAN) Congressional Sign-On Statement in East Brunswick, NJ.
- Press Release.
- Statement of Eve Weissman, Health Care Campaign Coordinator for NJ Citizen Action.
- Statement of Martin Schwartz, Director of the NJ Region of the Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring.
- Photos.
- Photo Gallery.
What Health Reform Means for NJ Seniors
Learn how health reform will benefit New Jersey's seniors!
- Alliance for Retired Americans Fact Sheet — How the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009 helps America's Seniors.
- Get the Facts: Health Care Reform and Medicare, by the Medicare Rights Center.
- Myths and Facts of Health Care Reform, by AARP.
AMA Endorses the House Bill
In July 2009 the American Medical Association (AMA), previously opposed to the public health insurance option, sent a letter to the House Committees in support of the House bill which includes the choice of a public health insurance option as well as a number of other provisions.
Click here to read the AMA Letter to Congressman Henry Waxman.
The Physician Payments Sunshine Act
The Physician Payments Sunshine Act (S.301), introduced by Senators Kohl (D-WI) and Grassley (R-IA), would bring much needed transparency to the financial relationships that exist between drug and medical device companies and the medical profession by requiring all pharmaceutical, medical device, biotech companies and their subsidiaries to disclose all payments to physicians after reaching a $100 aggregate into a public online database.
Physicians write more than two billion prescriptions a year, an average of seven for every American. To capture these sales, the pharmaceutical industry spent $20.4 billion in marketing during 2007. Expenditures directed at physicians totaled $7.2 billion in 2005 (excluding pharmaceutical samples). An undisclosed portion of that budget is spent on direct payments to physicians in the form of gifts, food, continuing medical education, travel, and consultancy fees.
While pharmaceuticals and medical devices play a critical role in patient care, undisclosed gifts such as consulting payments, speaking fees, classes, and meals can inappropriately influence medical decisions and create conflicts of interest. Increased transparency of gifts and financial relationships will allow the government and the public to make informed decisions about prescription drug and medical device use.
Numerous reports have demonstrated that aggressive marketing tactics can exert undue influence on prescribing. Drug companies alone spend at least $25 billion per year marketing to doctors. Not only is this a huge driver of drug costs, but published evidence clearly shows that marketing spending shifts doctors toward higher cost and sometimes less-safe drugs.
Resources
- TAKE ACTION! Download the TEMPLATE letter and WRITE Senator Menendez asking him to support the Physician Payment Sunshine Act.
- Addressing Cost and Quality: The Physician Payment Sunshine Act.
- Physician Payment Sunshine Act Fact Sheet.
- View National Coalition for Appropriate Proscribing Members.
- JOIN! the National Coalition for Appropriate Proscribing (Download Invitation).
Background on the NJ HCAN Campaign
Health Care for America Now (HCAN) is a national grassroots campaign organizing millions of Americans to win a guarantee of quality, affordable health care for all. We are grounded in organizations that can mobilize people at work, at home, in their neighborhoods, and online.
Partners include ACORN, USAction, MoveOn, Planned Parenthood, Small Business Majority, UFCW, National Physicians Alliance, National Women's Law Center, SEIU, American Medical Student Association, AFSCME, and Latinos for National Health Insurance. Here are complete lists:
- New Jersey HCAN partners (PDF)
- All HCAN partners — full list of National Organizations, plus all Regional, State-Based, and Local Organizations (online)
New Jersey Citizen Action is leading the HCAN Campaign in New Jersey. We're bringing together community organizers, nurses, doctors, small business owners, faith-based groups, organizations of people of color, and seniors who believe it's time we had an American solution that provides quality, affordable health care for everyone.
The HCAN Campaign was launched on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 in Trenton and in 52 other cities across the country, including 37 state capitals. Watch great footage of New Jersey's HCAN Launch on YouTube and BlueJersey.com. View the Press Release, see the list of speakers, and read more great press coverage of the launch event.
By coordinating grassroots activism with a national movement we will give a powerful voice to the growing demand for action, advance our agenda for health care reform at both the state and national level, and answer those forces who argue that substantial governmental involvement is not necessary to guarantee quality affordable health care for all.
For more information about Health Care for America Now go to healthcareforamericanow.org or contact NJCA's Health Care Campaign Coordinator, Eve Weissman, at 856-966-3091 ext.205 or eve@njcitizenaction.org.
JOIN HCAN!
- Join NJ HCAN online
- Join NJ HCAN (for Organizations — downloadable PDF form)
- Join NJ HCAN (for Individuals — downloadable PDF form)
NJ Policymakers who Support Quality, Affordable Health Care for All
Members of NJ's Congressional Delegation onto HCAN!
State and Local Policymakers
US Congressman John Conyers (D-Michigan) — sponsor of single-payer universal health care bill HR 676 — joins the HCAN Campaign!
As Congressman Conyers announced on September 17, 2008: "I am proud to join HCAN's broad progressive campaign to raise awareness about the need for true universal health care reform. The HCAN coalition and I are united by our belief that the current non-system of health care run by profit hungry insurance companies is unsustainable and inhumane. It will take a monumental effort to defeat the entrenched special interests that benefit from the status quo. I remain firmly committed to the passage of my single-payer universal health care bill, H.R. 676, and believe that private insurance will never provide the kind of guaranteed affordable health care America needs. However, I agree with HCAN that a true policy debate in the Congress can only begin when there is broad consensus that the sham reform trumpeted by the industry is off the table." Click here to read the full article.
HCAN In The News
Join NJ HCAN Today!
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