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TagsAdvocates trying to override Christie's veto of $7.5 million in aid
Women's health advocates on Wednesday called for the Legislature to override Gov. Christie's veto of $7.5 million in women's health care funds.
Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden) a prime sponsor of the health care legislation, said, "The governor's veto leaves thousands upon thousands of New Jersey women out in the cold. Allowing this veto to stand will mean sicker families and increased costs to taxpayers. This is not a partisan issue; it is about saving women's lives and taxpayer dollars."
The state Senate will attempt to override the veto on Monday but to be successful, the Democratic-controlled upper house will need the support of Republicans, something that is unlikely. Should the Senate pass the override, the Democratic-controlled Assembly would attempt to pass it.
"I have heard many stories of women and children whose lives were literally saved through this funding, from cancer screenings, to tests for HIV/AIDS, to critical care for infants," Lampitt said. "I urge my colleagues in the Legislature to put partisan politics aside and vote for these life-saving women's health care funds."
"Make no mistake, Governor Christie's veto hurts New Jersey families," Lynn Brown, CEO of Planned Parenthood of South Jersey, said. "It means thousands of women will have to go without breast and cervical cancer screenings, tests for HIV/AIDS and other STI's, family planning/GYN services, as well as dozens of other critical vital health services."Lampitt said she disputes Christie's fiscal rationale for the veto.
"Governor Christie's veto is especially puzzling and shortsighted from a fiscal standpoint," the Assemblywoman said. "This funding would bring in $9 for each $1 New Jersey spends on women's health care. From a numbers standpoint, women's health care funding is a no-brainer."
Lampitt also argued that funding women's health care would reduce charity care costs to the state. Estimates suggest that funding for women's health care in the previous year saved over $150 million-a return over twenty times larger than the state's original investment.
"Last year, women's health care clinics served over 136,000 patients and families," Brown said. "Across New Jersey, women's health care clinics deliver critically-needed services with incredible cost-efficiency. When the Governor says the state's federally qualified centers will be able to make up the difference, he's wrong. Let's be clear: this veto will stretch many health care clinics and hospitals to the breaking point with an influx of new patients. The result will be catastrophic for women and families in New Jersey."
The legislation, A-3019, also sponsored by Assemblywomen Linda Stender (D-Union), Celeste Riley (D-Cumberland), Valerie Vanieri Huttle (D-Bergen), Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex) and Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer).
— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
