New Jersey Citizen Action released the following statement today in response to the New Jersey State Senate advancing several legislative bills out of committee (S562/A5248, s3802/A5501, S3808/A5506, S3809/A5500, A3812/A5504, S626) that codify essential health benefits into New Jersey law, along with other major components of the Affordable Care Act. The legislation has been approved by the State Assembly and now awaits a full floor vote.

“Mandating that all insurance plans carry essential health benefits like maternal and mental health services and ensuring that children can stay on their parents’ plans until the age of 26 are some of the basic protections we can build on to ensure all state residents have access to quality, affordable health care,” said Maura Collinsgru, NJCA Health Care Program Director. “We applaud the State Senate for voting the legislation out of committee and urge the full Legislature to adopt these protections without delay. Once signed into law these bills will help protect New Jersesyans from the Trump administration’s unrelenting assault on the Affordable Care Act and our health care system.”

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New Jersey Citizen Action is a statewide advocacy and social service organization that fights for social, racial and economic justice for all while also meeting the pressing needs of low and moderate income New Jerseyans through education and direct service.