newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BETSY RYAN

COMMENTARY

While we applaud Gov. Christie for taking bold steps to balance the state budget, we are disappointed in the $12.6 million cut to charity care. This cut comes with an additional loss of $12.6 million in federal matching funds so the overall impact on New Jersey hospitals is $25 million.

We know Gov. Christie, like the rest of us, values healthcare as an essential part of New Jersey's quality of life. And he faces a daunting task in addressing the state's financial problems. But our healthcare system is already in the grip of fiscal crisis, and the state once again is asking hospitals to do more with less, even as the number of uninsured grows and the demand for healthcare services rises.

Hospitals are a 24/7 resource that all New Jerseyans depend on. Our doors are open to all comers, at all hours, delivering vital health care services. N.J. hospitals serve 18 million patients a year, treat 2.8 million in our emergency rooms, perform 300,000 surgeries and deliver 115,000 babies. They've been there this fall as New Jersey confronted a flu pandemic, and they are on call right now to care for seriously injured evacuees of earthquake-shattered Haiti.

In the spirit of shared commitment that defines the charity care program, we pledge to work with the Christie Administration and our state legislators on solutions that can help us ensure that the hospital care all New Jerseyans depend on will still be there when they need it.

Betsy Ryan is President and CEO, New Jersey Hospital Association