Conaway, Mukherji & McKeon Bill to Protect Essential Health Benefits Becomes Law

(TRENTON) – To ensure critical protections provided under the Affordable Care Act will be preserved in New Jersey if the federal law were ever repealed, legislation (A-5248) was signed into law Thursday by Governor Phil Murphy.

The law’s sponsors, Assemblymen Herb Conaway, Raj Mukherji and John McKeon released the following statements:

Assemblyman Herb Conaway (D-Burlington): “As a physician, I firmly believe that access to health care is a right, not a privilege. We took a tremendous step forward toward securing that right for all Americans under the Affordable Care Act. The legislation signed today will enshrine the essential health benefits and guiding principles of the ACA into State law, so that New Jerseyans will continue receiving the same benefits if the ACA were ever struck down.”

Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson): “We hear stories far too often of patients facing discrimination because of their age or disability. No one should be penalized or taken advantage for having a health condition. This is the law of the land nationwide, and we’ve now reaffirmed these values here in New Jersey.”

Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex, Morris): “Essential health benefits are exactly that: essential. Our children need vision and oral care; our new mothers need maternity care; and at any moment, anyone may need emergency services. I’m proud to live in a state that values the health and wellbeing of its residents, so much that it guarantees certain protections under the law.”