Posted on 02/23/2013 5:47:33 PM PST by Coleus
New Jersey next Friday will suspend enrollment in an insurance program for people with preexisting medical conditions mandated by the new federal health care law, officials said.
The state was directed to do so by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, which received limited funding from Congress to provide coverage in each of the 50 states. Without the suspension, the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan would be in danger of running out of money to cover those currently enrolled, according to a message posted on the program’s website.
“Those who have been considering purchasing health coverage … need to know that now is your last chance to enroll,” said Ellen DeRosa, executive director of the state’s Individual Health Coverage Program. To be eligible, New Jersey residents must have been uninsured for at least the previous six months and have a preexisting medical condition. Applications will be accepted through the close of business on Friday.
Coverage for those currently enrolled will continue through the end of the year, when health care coverage becomes available to all without exclusions for preexisting conditions under the Affordable Care Act.
New Jersey Insurance Commissioner Kenneth E. Kobylowski asked Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to reconsider the suspension of the plan, which is known in New Jersey as NJ Protect. New Jersey’s spending on the program had been kept within the $141 million earmarked for it, he said in a letter Friday.
“Had the program been run in every state as well as it has been run in New Jersey, it would not be in danger of running out of federal funding on the national level,” his letter to Kathleen Sibelius said. Nine states asked the federal government for additional funding last year.
NJ Protect has provided coverage to 2,484 state residents since it was launched in August 2010, said Marshall McKnight, a spokesman for the state insurance department. There are currently 1,423 residents enrolled. Two companies provide coverage: AmeriHealth New Jersey and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
Information about enrollment is available on the state Insurance Department’s website: state.nj.us/dobi
All that money going to support so few people
Whuuuur....Obamacare costs money?
From Congress??? From Congress???? It was Obamacare that limited the funding. The limit came from Obama!
I actually believe Obamacare will save money long term.
Each year the Death Panels slice off life expectancy is a huge boost for Soc Sec and Medicare.
@ $57,000 per person, that is expensive health insurance!
The socialists are already running out of other people’s money. Surprise, surprise.
You have a valid point, and one day when the Obama voters see Grandma refused medical care they will awaken and the SWHTF.
“The state was directed to do so by the federal Department of Health and Human Services,”
‘Sounds like the Death Panel has started to work early where obamacare is concerned.
Here’s one of the headlines from VT this past week:
‘House committee votes to double health care costs for low-income, chronically ill’.
Bump
I have always suspected that the members of the death panels will have Secret Service protection.
Say what?
Anybody with an IQ over 70 could clearly see that back in 2007. Have all the retards at the federal Department of Health and Human Services been replaced? How did we get so lucky?
I am certain that one day we will hear the words, "Oooops. We meant well..."
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