Press Releases
Rep. Pascrell Announces New Jersey Affordable Care Act Enrollment Numbers161,775 New Jerseyans Enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace, 98,240 additional Medicaid/CHIP enrollments
Washington, DC,
May 1, 2014
Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, announced that nearly 260,000 New Jerseyans signed up for healthcare through the Affordable Care Act, with 161,775 individuals selecting a plan on the federal marketplace. Nationwide, enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace surged to eight million at the end of the first enrollment period, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today. "Today's numbers underscore New Jerseyans' desire to access quality, affordable health care coverage for their families," said Rep. Pascrell. "There was a clear need for the ACA and these numbers show that the law is working. These 260,000 New Jerseyans are real people that now have peace of mind knowing that annual limits and out-of-pocket costs won’t force them to choose between paying their mortgage or getting life-saving treatment. "Sadly, Governor Christie joined his Republican colleagues in being an obstructionist to implementing this law instead of doing what's right by the people of New Jersey. Health care advocacy organizations in New Jersey were forced to stretch their already tight budgets to engage in education and enrollment activities to help make up for the Governor’s wasting of nearly $8 million in federal funds. I remain committed to ensuring all Americans have the resources they need to make the next open enrollment an even bigger success." HHS also announced today that an additional 98,240 New Jerseyans enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP through the end of March 2014, compared to enrollment before the Marketplace opened last October. New Jersey has decided to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. New Jersey was awarded a $7.67 million Section 1311 grant, which provides states with a very flexible funding source to conduct education and outreach around the ACA, as well as facilitate enrollment. Of the nearly $8 million in federal funds, Governor Christie spent just $3,000, allowing the remainder to be recaptured and returned to the U.S. Treasury. In January, Rep. Pascrell introduced H.R. 3884, the Ensuring Full Use of Federal Health Care Funding Act - legislation that would allow the federal government to recoup any unspent grant funds and make them available to qualified entities to engage in ACA outreach, education, and enrollment activities. During this first enrollment period Rep, Pascrell hosted two ACA enrollment events. One event in Teaneck geared towards the Korean American community in Bergen County enrolled more than 100 people. “More than 161,775 New Jerseyans signed up through the Marketplace, demonstrating brisk demand for quality, affordable coverage,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Together we are ensuring that health coverage is more accessible than ever before, which is important for families, for businesses and for New Jersey’s health and wellbeing.” The final enrollment reporting period spans from October 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014, and includes “in line” and other enrollment activity (such as people enrolling due to a change in life circumstance) reported through Saturday, April 19, 2014. Key findings from today’s report include: Today’s report measures enrollment as those who selected a plan. In some states, only partial datasets were available. To read the full Marketplace Enrollment report visit: https://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2014/MarketPlaceEnrollment/Apr2014/ib_2014Apr_enrollment.pdf To read the Medicaid Enrollment report visit: https://www.medicaid.gov/AffordableCareAct/Medicaid-Moving-Forward-2014/Downloads/March-2014-Enrollment-Report.pdf ### |