Pascrell Celebrates Approval of New Jersey Reinsurance Program

After blessing from HHS, state can proceed with crafting innovative plans

PATERSON, NJ – Today, Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09) reacted positively to the news that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved New Jersey’s Section 1332 waiver application to craft its own insurance model and curb the Trump administration’s healthcare sabotage for New Jersey residents.

“This is a terrific development for New Jersey’s taxpayers. But we wouldn’t even need to come up with this plan had congressional Republicans and Donald Trump not gutted the individual mandate from the Affordable Care Act and ended premium subsidies for low-income individuals and families. According to estimates, policyholders can expect their premiums to drop by an average of 15 percent from the approval of this new waiver – that’s serious savings for our citizens. This move will mitigate Republicans’ destructive actions and save New Jerseyans good money. I want to make a special thanks to Governor Phil Murphy. Despite Republicans’ incessant efforts to destroy it, the ACA continues to provide care for millions. But so much work remains to provide every American with affordable and high-quality health care options. Plans like those being crafted by the Murphy administration are a step in the right direction.”

Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) permits a state to apply for a State Innovation Waiver to pursue innovative strategies for providing their residents with access to high quality, affordable health insurance while retaining the basic protections of the ACA. State Innovation Waivers allow states to implement innovative ways to provide access to quality health care that is at least as comprehensive and affordable as would be provided absent the waiver, provides coverage to a comparable number of residents of the state as would be provided coverage absent a waiver, and does not increase the federal deficit.

A copy of HHS’s approval letter to New Jersey is available here.

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