New Jersey official discusses concerns about proposed Medicaid copayments

New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Jenner Velez on Monday said that proposed Medicaid copayments for prescription drugs and some hospital visits raise a "valid concern" that low-income, uninsured residents would forgo medical care, the AP/Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Gov. Jon Corzine (D) in his $33 billion fiscal year 2009 budget plan has proposed a $6 copay for emergency department visits that are not a true emergency to generate $550,000, as well as a $2 copay on prescription drugs to generate $7 million. The drug copay would be capped at $10 per month per beneficiary. New Jersey is among eight states that do not require Medicaid beneficiaries to contribute drug copays, the AP/Inquirer reports (Hester, AP/Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/29). The ED copay will be capped at $12 monthly, according to Velez.

Members of the New Jersey Senate Budget Committee during a meeting on Monday asked the state to explain proposed changes. Opponents of the copays, including some lawmakers and an advocacy group, testified that the proposal would cause some beneficiaries who cannot afford the fees to forgo care. Velez said, "I do think it's a valid concern; I couldn't tell you that it's not" (Reitmeyer, Bergen Record, 4/28).

Meanwhile, Corzine on Tuesday planned to meet with the New Jersey Hospital Association to discuss a proposed 14% cut in funding for hospitals. The association argues that the funding cuts could result in 26 hospitals losing all state funding and could reduce funding for 37 additional hospitals. Overall, Corzine has proposed $2.7 billion in budget cuts for FY 2009 (AP/Newark Star-Ledger, 4/29).