BONE ON SENATE BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF S3218/A5119: THIS BILL BALANCES THE NEEDS OF HORIZON’S MEMBERS WITH THE CONCERNS OF STAKEHOLDERS

Edison – Move Health Care Forward New Jersey President Dennis Bone issued the following statement today regarding the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee passing S3218/A5119, 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:

“This legislation has undergone dramatic changes from the concept that was first introduced last year. Horizon – working with the governor’s office, legislative leadership and the bill’s sponsors – has been willing to address all the major concerns raised by stakeholders. That’s why this legislation makes clear that Horizon will continue to operate under its charitable and benevolent status, will continue to fall under the same regulations and guidelines from the Department of Banking and Insurance as well as the Attorney General, and that there are no stockholders, nor will there be a conversion.

“There have been hours upon hours of testimony on the bill with numerous opportunities for public input to be heard. In fact, much of that public input has found its way into this bill. This has been a long, transparent process that has balanced the needs of Horizon’s 3.6 million members with the concerns of stakeholders.

“We encourage members of the Senate and Assembly to vote yes on S3218/A5119. This legislation will help make health care better for millions of New Jerseyans by making Horizon better. We cannot and should not turn down this opportunity.”

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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