Media Release |
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| For Immediate Release | Contact | Phone |
| Tuesday, November 20, 2008 | Eve Weissman, NJ Citizen Action | 732-246-4772 |
Expanding NJ Horizon Watch Coalition Holds State House Press Conference, Demands Governor & Regulators Protect Consumers and Do Their Job on Proposed Horizon Conversion
Growing alliance of health care, consumer, labor, senior, faith-based, student, disability, civil rights and social justice organizations voice concern on proposed conversion of Horizon
Trenton, NJ — Today, Thursday, November 20 at 11:00 am, a broad-based alliance of over 20 health care, consumer, labor, senior, faith-based, student, disability, civil rights and social justices organizations from across the State held a Press Conference in Room 109 of the Trenton State House, publicly launching the reconvened and growing Horizon Watch Coalition and calling on the State to do its job in evaluating the proposed conversion of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, the State's last remaining not-for-profit health insurer.
Eve Weissman, Health Care Campaign Coordinator for NJ Citizen Action; Charles Bell, Programs Director for Consumers Union; George Hampton, Director of NJ Appleseed's Health Care Reform Program; Kathy Grant-Davis, President and CEO of the NJ Primary Care Association; Dudley Burge representing CWA District One; Marilyn Askin, Chief Legislative Advocate for AARP NJ; Marcia Marley, President of BlueWaveNJ; and Evan Brownstein, owner of Beamesderfer Gallery in Highland Park, NJ and member of the NJ Main Street Alliance spoke at today's Press Conference. In addition, Horizon Watch Coalition partners including the National Association of Social Workers–NJ Chapter, SJ NOW–Alice Paul Chapter, Alliance for Disabled in Action, and the South Jersey Gray Panthers were in attendance.
Advocates discussed the principals for evaluation that should be followed by state regulators to ensure health care consumers are protected including the preparation of a health impacts study by qualified experts, transparency and public participation.
"Conversion of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield raises serious concerns for NJ consumers and taxpayers," said Weissman. "Today we are urging the Governor and State Regulators to review Horizon's application to convert in accordance with both the spirit and full letter of the law. We demand appropriate public participation and transparency — including regional public hearings - in the conversion process. The voices of NJ consumers and taxpayers must be heard and NJ residents must be provided with adequate information to evaluate the conversion, based on the potential impacts on their lives. The process of determining whether conversion is in the public interest must not take place behind closed doors," she continued.
Marley, President of BlueWaveNJ added, "So far, the research does not indicate a clear benefit from past conversions [in other states]... [T]here are no demonstrable economic efficiencies across the board and there is reason for serious concern ranging from possible reductions in Charity Care to detrimental premium increases and loss of access, availability, and coverage as a result of increased market concentration."
"Currently, Horizon as a non-profit, ably serves the New Jersey 50+ population of which 1.4 million are members of AARP-NJ," said Askin. "Our members tell us they are concerned with the likely rise in premiums for policies in the individual market and a reduction in service should Horizon become a for-profit entity. We also foresee an inevitable conflict between Horizon's service to consumers versus its duty to share-holders. Any conversion must be carefully scrutinized in open and public sessions, consistent with [the State's] conversion statute," continued Askin.
The groups emphasized that, without a comprehensive analysis regarding the full impact conversion would have on the health status of NJ residents, it will not be possible to determine whether conversion is in the public interest. Members of the Horizon Watch Coalition stressed that the alliance will not support conversion unless it is demonstrated to be in the public interest.
"Will the Department of Banking and Insurance order that a health impact study be completed prior to the conversion being approved?" questioned Grant-Davis. "How else will we know the impact and whether the uninsured numbers will go up due to increased premiums and the inability of people to pay? Additionally, what will be the effect of the conversion on the health status of specific populations such as minorities, the disabled, and the chronically ill?" she asked.
Advocates asserted that these critical questions must be answered in order for consumers and State regulators to make an informed decision.
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Horizon Watch Coalition Press Conference
Thursday, November 20, 2008 — 11:00 am
Statehouse Room 109
125 West State Street, Trenton NJ
SPEAKERS
Eve Weissman
Health Care Campaign Coordinator, NJ Citizen Action
George Hampton
Director of Health Care Reform Program, NJ Appleseed Public Interest Law Center
Charles Bell
Programs Director, Consumers Union
Marcia Marley
President, BlueWaveNJ
Marilyn Askin
Chief Legislative Advocate, NJ AARP
Evan Brownstein
Owner of B. Beamesderfer Gallery, Highland Park, NJ
Member of the NJ Main Street Alliance
Dudley Burge
Staff Representative, CWA District 1
Katherine Grant-Davis
President & CEO, NJ Primary Care Association