Access to Health Care

Vitale ‘Health Care Stabilization Fund Act’ Approved In Senate

Release Date: Jun 24 2008

VITALE ‘HEALTH CARE STABILIZATION FUND ACT’ APPROVED IN SENATE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would establish the Health Care Stabilization Fund to provide grants to general hospitals and other health care facilities to ensure access to health care services in a community served by a hospital facing closure was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 23-16, receiving final legislative approval.

“New Jersey’s hospital system is in crisis, and with every announcement of closure, hundreds if not thousands of uninsured State residents in the surrounding area are left to scramble as they lose their primary point of health care,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, and Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “New Jersey’s hospitals, through the charity care program, are on the frontlines in terms of providing access to quality care for those without health insurance. We need a mechanism in place to ensure the continuation of access when hospitals are on the verge of financial collapse.”

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