Most politicians, and consequently many voters who bet all their chips on the federal government’s actions, think of Congress and the President and maybe the Supreme Court when it comes to health care issues.
It matters little to none whether the politician is a Democrat pushing for that next step toward a public option or even single payer system, or a Republican mistakenly pushing tort reform from DC while preaching the merits of limited government. It was not until ObamaCare that Governors (including one Democrat) and legislators across these 50 States mentioned not implementing the federally mandated health insurance exchanges.
Although we as a state have a long way to go toward beginning to act like a state again, there are small sparks of hope that need some fuel poured on them. Governor Christie vetoed the bill that would have implemented the health insurance exchanges, and we are hoping he will do so again.
Assemblywoman Alison Littel-McHose introduced legislation to nullify the Affordable Care Act. According to an announcement from the New Jersey Assembly Republicans, Assemblywoman Amy Handlin has introduced a bill, A3293, to reduce the legal costs for doctors in malpractice cases.
The bill, based on similar legislation in New Hampshire, would set up a voluntary mediation program to resolve injury claims as an alternative to lawsuits. This can potentially reduce emotionally, physically and financially draining court time and help reform a system that could lose up to 3,000 doctors without reform. That’s the good part. The great part is that someone in Trenton has decided to take the reigns and not wait for approval from DC. It was not Congress’ job to declare we had to purchase health insurance or pay a fine, and it is not Congress’ job to reform the legal system that helps keep health care costs high.
Assemblywoman Handlin, you appear to get it on this issue, and credit must be given where credit is due. If this is the type of legislation you regularly support for the Garden State, please introduce as many bills as you can. We’ll be watching.
To contact Assemblywoman Handlin to thank her for introducing A3293, call her office at 732-787-1170. Contactyour Assemblypersons and State Senators to tell them to support A3293.
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