30 GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE THEIR SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION TO CREATE A BETTER HORIZON

Edison – Move Health Care Forward New Jersey today announced the support of 30 groups, organizations and elected officials for S3218, legislation that would amend the Health Services Corporation Act and create a process where Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey could apply to the state to become a not-for-profit mutual health insurer. Supporters include:

Garden State Equality

The Latino Institute

Brand New J

Community in Crisis

ASPIRA Inc. of New Jersey

Parker Family Health Center

Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative

Mainstage Center For The Arts

Positive Impact

Community Foodbank of New Jersey

Diabetes Foundation

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo

State Senator & North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco

Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise

Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders Chair Anthony Vainieri

Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse

Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio

African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

Rutgers University Foundation

Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

Symphony in C

Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey

New Jersey Business & Industry Association

Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce

Trenton Thunder

Branch Brook Park Alliance

Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District

Somerset Patriots

The attached provides quotes from each of the groups, organizations and elected officials on why they support this legislation and allowing a process for Horizon to apply to the state to become a not-for-profit mutual health insurer.

“The Latino Institute, Inc. strongly supports Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey’s efforts to apply to the state to become a not-for-profit mutual holding company,” said William Colón, President and CEO of the Latino Institute. “Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has been a dedicated supporter of the Latino Institute. They support our organization because Horizon is always forward thinking; they see what might be coming next and determine how best to meet those changes. They are always looking for opportunities that benefit both their customers and New Jersey in general.”

“GSE has been in existence for 16 years now and we have always known Horizon to be steadfastly committed to preserving affordable healthcare through bold and innovative endeavors,” noted Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality. “We wish them great success and hope that their accomplishments inspire further improvements and advances for our state. In short, the reason that Garden State Equality and our 150,000 members support this proposed change is because of its potential to expand access to quality, affordable health care for millions of New Jerseyans, including LGBTQ+ residents, members of the BIPOC community, seniors, and other traditionally underserved groups.”

“Think of what it will mean when Horizon can invest in the best health tech companies. New Jersey companies will grow, hire more employees, and increase their ability to develop the latest health care technologies. This investment and innovation will also lead to tremendous economic growth,” said Jay Bhatti, Co-Founder of Brand New J and a Co-Chair of Governor Murphy’s Transition Team on Government Technology and Innovation.

“As a nonprofit organization with a mission to support individuals in recovery from substance use disorder, Community in Crisis strongly supports Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey’s effort to become a not-for-profit mutual holding company; because of their support and belief in our work and outreach, CIC has been able to serve and improve the lives of many of New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents grappling with a much underfunded disease,” said Andi Williams, Executive Director of Community in Crisis.

Changing their corporate structure will allow Horizon, the state’s largest health insurer, to better adapt and evolve to the changing demands of their 3.6 million members. This change means creating better health care for New Jersey. But creating better health care for New Jersey starts with creating a better Horizon. It means creating an environment where Horizon can provide better access to and more affordable care.

About Move Health Care Forward New Jersey

Move Health Care Forward New Jersey is a 501(c)(4) established to educate the public on the value of modernizing New Jersey’s laws to facilitate advancements in affordable, accessible and quality health care by promoting health care innovation and modernization of nonprofit insurance entities. For more information on Move Health Care Forward New Jersey and the need to modernize New Jersey’s health care laws, log on to www.movehealthcareforwardnj.org.

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