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Corzine and Sebelius announce 400 percent increased funding to NJ FamilyCare

BY CAROL ANN CAMPBELL

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

A top federal official, joined by Gov. Jon Corzine, was in Englewood today to announce a significant increase in funding for children's health insurance in New Jersey — enough to allow the program to insure 33,000 more children.

Health and Human Service Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the increase in funding, part of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA). Under the federal act, New Jersey's allotment will be increased from $102 million to $505 million, a 400 percent increase, according to the HHS press statement.

"We are taking an important step to provide quality, affordable health care to millions of children," Sebelius said at the Bergen Family Center in Englewood. "Through CHIPRA, states and territories will receive additional funds to provide health insurance to 11 million children, including 4 million who were previously uninsured. Parents now have more help if their children fall ill."

Corzine called the struggle to secure children's health legislation in New Jersey finally over.

"At a time when our state and nation are facing substantial economic challenges, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to provide access to quality health insurance for our uninsured children," Corzine said.

The children's health program in New Jersey is called NJ FamilyCare, and it covers children in families with up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level, or $77,175 for a family of four. Families pay premiums based on their income.

During fiscal year 2008, more than 151,000 children were enrolled in the CHIP program in NJ.

In April, Corzine announced an "Express Lane Application" to streamline the application process. New Jersey has identified nearly 280,000 households with 450,000 children who have reported that they do not have health insurance coverage.