BONE STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNING S3218/A5119 INTO LAW

Edison – Move Health Care Forward New Jersey President Dennis Bone issued the following statement today on Governor Murphy signing into law S3218/A5119, legislation which amends the Health Services Corporation Act and creates a process where Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey can apply to the state to become a not-for-profit mutual health insurer:

“This legislation took a long path to get to this moment. It was discussed for well over a year, took into consideration numerous concerns from stakeholders, underwent many changes, and was discussed in hours of public hearings. That process has now resulted in a law that will make health care better for millions of New Jerseyans by making Horizon better.

“On behalf of Move Health Care Forward New Jersey, I thank Governor Murphy for signing this bill into law and for the work his administration put into ensuring this law meets the needs of Horizon’s 3.6 million members while also addressing the concerns of stakeholders. I would also like to thank legislative leadership and the bill’s sponsors – Senators Pou and Sarlo, Senate President Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Coughlin, Assemblyman McKeon, Assemblywoman Downey, and Assemblymen Clifton and Wimberly – for everything they have done to make this moment a reality.

“Horizon must still apply to the state to become a not-for-profit mutual. We look forward to that process and that discussion, as it will show how changing the corporate structure of New Jersey’s largest health insurer will positively benefit millions of New Jerseyans.”

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.