Bob Menendez proposes bill to help New Jersey save Obamacare insurance gains

As New Jersey lawmakers try to save the insurance gains made through the federal Affordable Care Act from repeated assaults by the Trump administration, the state’s congressional Democrats are pushing a measure that would provide federal help for a state insurance marketplace.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced plans earlier this year to replace Healthcare.gov — the online marketplace for people who buy their own health insurance with federal subsidies — by 2021. State control allows for a longer enrollment period and more extensive marketing and can save money.

A measure introduced in the Senate by Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and in the House by Rep. Andy Kim of Bordentown, would provide $200 million in competitive grants for New Jersey and other states to set up their own state-based exchanges.

Other states that may benefit are Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Minnesota. The sponsors of the measure include U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican.

Read more: https://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/health/2019/05/10/bob-menendez-proposes-bill-help-nj-save-obamacare-insurance-gains/1155479001/