Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

VITALE BILL TO EXPAND SCOPE OF DISEASE MANAGEMENT STUDY COMMISSION

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would expand the scope of the New Jersey Disease Management Study Commission to examine how disease management programs can reduce costs for Medicaid and NJ Family Care was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee by a vote of 9-0.

"Disease management programs have been successful in helping those who live with, or are at risk of developing, chronic medical conditions cope with their illnesses," said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate health panel. "Disease management has been cited as improving the quality of life for those living with chronic disease, promoting positive medical outcomes and more effective treatment. Coupled with our State's programs to provide low- or no-cost health care, we can make the most of our health care dollars."

GOVERNOR CORZINE’S STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT BUSH’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

TRENTON

- Governor Jon S. Corzine, Chairman of the National Governors’ Association’s Health and Human Services Committee, tonight released the following statement on the healthcare proposal put forward in President Bush’s State of the Union Address:

VAN DREW/ALBANO BILL TO INCREASE FUNDING
FOR ASSISTED LIVING CENTERS ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Health and Senior Services committee today released legislation Assemblymen Jeff Van Drew and Nelson Albano sponsored to provide assisted living centers with enhanced resources for providing quality care and service to their residents.

PALLONE CHOSEN TO CHAIR POWERFUL ENERGY AND COMMERCE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH

GREENWALD STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS

(TRENTON) -- Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Louis Greenwald (D-Camden) today released the following statement in response to Governor Jon S. Corzine's State of the State address:

WALL STREET JOURNAL CALLS MIKE FERGUSON FOURTH LARGEST RECIPIENT OF CAMPAIGN MONEY FROM BIG DRUG COMPANIES
Ferguson Has Taken $239,670 From Big Drug Companies
For 2006 Election

Scotch Plains, NJ -- The Wall Street Journal today listed Mike Ferguson as one of the top 10 recipients of campaign contributions from big drug companies for the 2006 elections.

Since taking office, Mike Ferguson has accepted more than $600,000 in campaign contributions from big drug companies.

REP. FRANK PALLONE AND LINDA STENDER
CALL FOR REFORM OF MEDICARE PART D
Pallone and Stender Discussed Medicare Part D 'Donut Hole,'’
Passed Out Donuts and Coffee To Seniors

Edison, NJ -- Rep. Frank Pallone and Linda Stender joined together today at the Inman Grove Senior Center to discuss the Medicare Part D donut hole and what steps must be taken to reform the beleaguered drug program.

Millions of elderly Americans enrolled in the new Medicare drug program have fallen into the notorious 'donut hole' -- a gap in coverage that forces them to pay high out-of-pocket expenses until they qualify for catastrophic coverage.

'VIRTUAL DEBATE' TO FOCUS ON MEDICAID

(TRENTON) - Medicaid will be the focus in the next round of the "Virtual Debate" that the Hall Institute is sponsoring for this year's U.S. Senate campaign. The question, which was posted today at www.hallnj.org/virtualdebate and sent to the Senate candidates, reads:

FERGUSON HURTING SENIORS WITH HIS VOTES ON SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Ferguson Voted To Raid Social Security Trust Fund Nine Times; Has Taken More Than $600,000 In Campaign Contributions From Drug Companies