State of New Jersey secondary Archives: on Health Care
Bob Hugin:
As CEO, paid $280M drug settlement
A whistleblower lawsuit in 2014 accusing Celgene of putting cancer patients in danger by hiding information about potentially fatal side effects of 2 Celgene anti-cancer drugs. Celgene denies it all, but the company didn't fight the accusations in
court. It settled the lawsuit for $280 million in July of 2017, while Hugin served as CEO and chairman. I asked Hugin about it Friday morning. A trial would have spooked investors, he said, leading to a drop in the company's value.
Source: Newark Star Ledger on 2018 New Jersey Senate race
Feb 18, 2018
Bob Hugin:
Will use his 20 years in healthcare to craft new reforms
"I'm going to go to Washington and I'm going to craft specific proposals to reform health care," he added. The former pharmaceutical executive has pledged to bring a sense of affordability and responsibility back.
In an op-ed this week, Hugin reflected on his nearly 20 years working in the sector and declared that the U.S. is failing to adequately address the increasing inequality of health care.
Source: CNBC's coverage of 2018 New Jersey Senate race
Feb 14, 2018
Bob Hugin:
AdWatch: Raised drug prices in US while lowering them abroad
Senator Bob Menendez announced his second campaign commercial, attacking Hugin for raising the price of Revlimid in the U.S. while lowering it in Russia. Menendez was indicted in April 2015 on federal corruption charges; he has sought to turn the ethics
issue back on Celgene Corp. executive Bob Hugin. Celgene under Hugin paid $280 million to settle charges that it pushed drugs for uses not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and that it submitted false claims to Medicare.
The company spent more money than ever before as it lobbied against legislation that could speed up a generic alternative to its Revlimid cancer drug.
"Bob Hugin is the guy who got rich ripping off cancer patients and defrauding Medicare, the guy who's spent millions supporting Donald Trump and right-wing candidates and causes, and is now trying to buy a Senate seat," a Menendez supporter said.
Source: NJ Advance Media AdWatch on 2018 New Jersey Senate race
Aug 22, 2018
Bob Hugin:
Lobbied to block cheaper generic alternatives
Q: Corruption: Scandals being discussed for both candidates.Robert Hugin (R): The pharmaceutical company that Hugin led, Celgene, spent $2.8 million lobbying to block cheaper generic alternatives to a key drug. Celgene also paid $280 million to
settle claims that its drug marketing defrauded state & federal health programs.
Robert Menendez (D): Charged for allegedly doing political favors for a donor. Prosecutor dropped charges; Senate committee then "severely admonished" him.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Jersey Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Bob Hugin:
Repeal ObamaCare but keep preexisting conditions
Q: Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as ObamaCare?Robert Hugin (R): Said Republican repeal effort would be "great for the country." Keep good aspects of ObamaCare like protecting people with preexisting conditions.
Robert Menendez
(D): Supports. Repeal would have "hiked premiums and disproportionately hurt women & the disabled."
Q: Require people to work to receive Medicaid?
Hugin: No stand found.
Menendez: No. "Some Medicaid recipients physically cannot work."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Jersey Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Bonnie Watson Coleman:
Before ObamaCare, millions were deprived of affordable care
Coleman understands that health care is a basic need. Prior to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, millions of Americans were deprived of the ability to obtain quality and affordable health care.Now, Americans are no longer discriminated
against by insurance companies because of their pre-existing conditions. Millions of children are now covered under their parent's health insurance until they reach the age of 26. Preventative measures are now emphasized. We have come too far to repeal
these protections. Coleman believes that the Act should be fully implemented and supported to ensure that it works the way it is intended.
Our focus should be on keeping the healthy, healthy. We should reduce the costs of acute care and emergency room
visits. We should consider the needs of individual communities in the implementation of health care policies. In Congress, Coleman will continue to be a leading voice in the fight for access to affordable health care for all Americans.
Source: 2014 New Jersey House campaign website BonnieForCongress.com
Oct 10, 2014
Chris Christie:
Hold down Medicaid costs while providing focused choice
In 2010, we put in place a model to better connect populations most in need of assistance with the kind of care they actually need--whether seniors, people with disabilities, or adults with substance abuse or mental illness. We reformed the state's
Medicaid program and created an innovative system that gives senior citizens & people with disabilities easier access to care and greater choice.Our whole emphasis has been to deliver the right level of service to the right person, in the right place.
As a result, we've increased and improved the options of assistance and care provided in a home setting and in the community, while reducing our reliance on more traditional institutional care, whether in nursing homes or developmental centers.
This approach has worked under Medicaid, improving services and holding down costs. NJ's Medicaid spending growth on these groups has trailed the national average, and has been cited as the second lowest in the region.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 New Jersey Legislature
Jan 13, 2015
Cory Booker:
ObamaCare is a vital step in the right direction
- Health care costs are a factor in over 60 percent of bankruptcies;
- Millions of Americans exhaust their savings every year trying to cover medical expenses;
- Many people without insurance have been unable to get treatment.
This is unacceptable, and I firmly support the Affordable Care Act as a vital step in the right direction. I believe that the ACA has begun, and will continue, to significantly transform our health care landscape.
For example, right here in New Jersey, the Affordable Care Act has closed the Medicare donut hole for 109,000 Medicare beneficiaries and will save middle class New Jerseyans more than $1,000 per year by 2019.
In Newark, we know that investing up front can produce great gains in the long run, and that the opposite is equally and sadly true. As Mayor I did not wait for the federal government to improve health access for Newarkers.
Source: 2013-2014 New Jersey Senate campaign web CoryBooker.com
Nov 3, 2013
Donny DiFrancesco:
More funds for senior prescriptions, charity care, Medicaid
DiFrancesco was the prime sponsor on the following bills in the 2000-2001 NJ congressional session:- S6: “Senior Gold Prescription Discount Act.”
- S15: Increases physician fee-for-service Medicaid reimbursement rates;
appropriates $7 million in State funds and $7 million in federal funds.
- S17: Increases annual charity care amount to $345 million and appropriates $30 million in State and federal funds to increase Medicaid fee-for-service hospital rates.
Source: New Jersey congressional voting records
Dec 25, 2000
Hirsh Singh:
COVID: don't stop family get-togethers for Thanksgiving
Conservative outsider, anti-establishment leader, and gubernatorial candidate Hirsh Singh today rejected Tyrannical Phil Murphy's new shutdown order canceling Thanksgiving for millions of New Jerseyans. "Tyrannical Phil
Murphy has no right and no authority to cancel Thanksgiving or meddle in the Thanksgiving plans of New Jersey families," Singh said.
Source: 2021 New Jersey Governor campaign website HirshSingh.com
Nov 17, 2020
Hirsh Singh:
Cap malpractice damages; limit frivolous lawsuits
Medical Malpractice & Tort Reform: New Jersey has one of the worst litigation environments in the country--which affects the healthcare industry and doctors specifically with frivolous lawsuits and exorbitant malpractice insurance. As Governor, I plan
to address these issues in the following manner:Work to cap malpractice damages.Allow healthcare practitioners to recoup economic damages from frivolous lawsuits.Introduce statute of limitation on claims to prevent abuses.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 New Jersey Senate race
Nov 1, 2017
Hirsh Singh:
Repeal and replace ObamaCare
To make healthcare affordable, we must: Recognize that "ObamaCare" failed to deliver better care at lower costs and must be repealed and replaced;
Implement a healthcare bill that puts doctors and patients first, not insurance companies; Make it a priority to reduce the cost of pharmaceuticals while ensuring consistent quality and safety
Source: 2020 New Jersey Senate website HirshSingh.com
Feb 5, 2020
Jack Ciattarelli:
Discontinue ObamaCare Cadillac health insurance plans
Public Employee Benefits Reform to Restore Fiscal Responsibility- Discontinue 'Cadillac' health insurance plans, as defined by ObamaCare.
-
All public workers with less than 10 years in system must switch over to cash balance pension plan, and all newly hired public workers must enroll in defined contribution pension plan similar to a 401k.
Source: 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial campaign website Jack4Gov.com
Jan 17, 2017
Jack Ciattarelli:
Protect those with pre-existing conditions; lower costs
MORE AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE: Jack Ciattarelli is committed to ensuring that all persons have access to high-quality care,
protecting people with pre-existing conditions and implementing policies that lower the cost of health insurance.
Source: 2020-21 New Jersey governor campaign website Jack4NJ.com
Apr 2, 2020
Jack Ciattarelli:
COVID: Against requiring showing proof of vaccination
Ciattarelli came out forcefully against not only vaccine passports, but also Rutgers' decision to require students get the coronavirus vaccine if they want to return to campus this fall. "The idea that Americans would be forced to
carry around a personal health record to attend a ballgame, see a concert, or go out to dinner is simply wrong," said Ciatterelli in a Facebook post. "Governor Murphy is wrong for even having considered it."
Source: Middletown Patch on 2021 New Jersey Gubernatorial race
Feb 1, 2021
Jack Ciattarelli:
Would veto ending religious exemptions for vaccinations
Public school students in New Jersey are required to be vaccinated against illnesses like measles, mumps, polio, and chickenpox--though the state does allow parents to opt out for religious reasons. A Democratic-sponsored bill to remove that
religious exemption failed twice to pass.Ciattarelli said he would veto that bill if he's elected and it came to his desk. He also said he would expand the rules to include a "philosophical exemption" to required school vaccinations.
Source: Newark Star Ledger on 2021 New Jersey Gubernatorial race
Jul 27, 2021
Jeff Bell:
Repeal ObamaCare; it's not a government responsibility
Question topic: It is the government's responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.Bell: Strongly Disagree
Question topic: The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) should be repealed by Congress.
Bell: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 New Jersey Senate race
Sep 30, 2014
Jim McGreevey:
More patient rights and senior protections
- Develop comprehensive programs to combat New Jersey's high cancer rates.
- Provide stronger prescription drug relief for seniors by expanding affordable prescription access for middle class seniors.
- Make mammograms more affordable.
- Enforce more nursing home and hospital inspections to crack down on senior abuse.
- Pass a tough HMO Patients' Bill of Rights.
- Raise access to quality child care by encouraging businesses to provide on-site day care.
Source: Workprint for New Jersey
Jun 25, 2001
Joe Kyrillos:
Ok for state to sue to prevent ObamaCare implementation
Excerpts from legislation: Urges Governor not to join lawsuit against enforcement of new federal health reforms: - Whereas, a number of states have undertaken legal action to [stop implementation of ObamaCare]
- Whereas, ObamaCare
will make health care coverage more affordable for businesses and families, enable millions of the uninsured to gain coverage, and help to control the relentless rise in health care costs
- Whereas, from 2000 through 2009, the increase in the cost of
family health care coverage premiums for New Jersey workers outpaced the increase in their median earnings by 4-to-1; however, under the new health reforms, New Jerseyans with moderate incomes will receive sliding-scale subsidies to help them purchase
high-quality health care coverage
- Be It Resolved: The Governor is respectfully urged not to join any [anti-ObamaCare] lawsuit
Legislative outcome: Sen. Kyrillos voted NO; Resolution passed Senate 21-16-3; sent to Governor
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: SCR 108
Jun 21, 2010
Kim Guadagno:
Bring public insurance in line with private sector
The Pension and Health Benefit Commission found that by reducing 'Cadillac' health insurance plans for public workers and bringing healthcare in line with private sector plans,
New Jersey can save up to $2.5 billion and cut property taxes by 8% while still delivering high quality care.
Source: 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial website KimForNJ.com
Sep 1, 2017
Murray Sabrin:
Repeal ObamaCare; it's not a government responsibility
Question topic: It is the government's responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.Sabrin: Strongly Disagree
Question topic: The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) should be repealed by Congress.
Sabrin: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 New Jersey Senate race
Jul 2, 2014
Phil Murphy:
Protected ObamaCare; enacted sick leave
While some in Washington continue their assault on our health care, we protected health care for hundreds of thousands of residents, by restoring funding for Planned Parenthood and women's health care, enacting paid sick leave protections for
1.2 million residents who couldn't take a day off, and safeguarding the Affordable Care Act--an effort that resulted in a more than nine percent reduction in premiums on the individual market.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to New Jersey legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Phil Murphy:
We're protecting the Affordable Care Act
In stark contrast to President Trump, we're protecting the Affordable Care Act. I remain incredibly proud of the work we have done to protect the tenets of the ACA and to establish the State-Based Health Exchange which will go online later this year.
I am establishing an Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency to work across state agencies and lead critical efforts to reduce consumer health care costs, make insurance more affordable, and improve price transparency.
Source: 2020 New Jersey State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Phil Murphy:
Pounding away against anti-vax bloc: they're safe, they work
Q: What are you telling residents skeptical of taking the vaccine if even nurses won't get it?MURPHY: We've got to begin with a skeptical anti-vax bloc, which is a minority, but they're strong. We're not waiting until we get them. We've already
been pounding away that these are safe, they work, and that's a message I'll repeat right now. We have had our medical folks kick the tires up and down. We believe in these vaccines. They're safe. They work. We want people to get them.
Source: ABC This Week interview for 2021 New Jersey governor race
Dec 13, 2020
Phil Murphy:
More people have insurance and they're paying less for it
We are making high-quality health care both more affordable and more accessible. Since our administration took office, health insurance rates in the individual marketplace are 22 percent lower than they would've been without our actions.
And for 2022, enrollment in health insurance through our individual marketplace is up 25 percent over last year. So, here's what this means--more people have insurance and they're paying less for it.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to New Jersey legislature
Jan 11, 2022
Ray Lesniak:
NJ should not sue to prevent ObamaCare implementation
Excerpts from legislation: Urges Governor not to join lawsuit against enforcement of new federal health reforms: - Whereas, a number of states have undertaken legal action to [stop implementation of ObamaCare]
- Whereas, ObamaCare
will make health care coverage more affordable for businesses and families, enable millions of the uninsured to gain coverage, and help to control the relentless rise in health care costs
- Whereas, from 2000 through 2009, the increase in the cost of
family health care coverage premiums for New Jersey workers outpaced the increase in their median earnings by 4-to-1; however, under the new health reforms, New Jerseyans with moderate incomes will receive sliding-scale subsidies to help them purchase
high-quality health care coverage
- Be It Resolved: The Governor is respectfully urged not to join any [anti-ObamaCare] lawsuit
Legislative outcome: Sen. Lesniak voted YES; Resolution passed Senate 21-16-3; sent to Governor
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: SCR 108
Jun 21, 2010
Rich Pezzullo:
Repeal ObamaCare; it's a dangerous proposal
Rich Pezzullo sees firsthand the effect of Federal meddling in health care industry and has vowed to fight it. As a technology manager, he sees how regulations regarding data collection and reporting are affecting
the daily contact between doctors and patients. Rich supports full ObamaCare Repeal and will use his power as a U. S. Senator to block funding and implementation of this dangerous proposal.
Source: 2018 New Jersey Senate campaign website pezzullo.com
Jan 1, 2018
Richard Codey:
NJ should not sue to prevent ObamaCare implementation
Excerpts from legislation: Urges Governor not to join lawsuit against enforcement of new federal health reforms: - Whereas, a number of states have undertaken legal action to [stop implementation of ObamaCare]
- Whereas, ObamaCare
will make health care coverage more affordable for businesses and families, enable millions of the uninsured to gain coverage, and help to control the relentless rise in health care costs
- Whereas, from 2000 through 2009, the increase in the cost of
family health care coverage premiums for New Jersey workers outpaced the increase in their median earnings by 4-to-1; however, under the new health reforms, New Jerseyans with moderate incomes will receive sliding-scale subsidies to help them purchase
high-quality health care coverage
- Be It Resolved: The Governor is respectfully urged not to join any [anti-ObamaCare] lawsuit
Legislative outcome: Sen. Codey voted YES; Resolution passed Senate 21-16-3; sent to Governor
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: SCR 108
Jun 21, 2010
Rik Mehta:
Against Medicare for All, end excessive regulation
Disastrous socialist policies like 'Medicare for All' is not the answer. Rik supports the following:- allow competition across state lines
- eliminate excessive regulatory mandates
- reverse taxing insurance premiums
- crack down on
irresponsible pharmaceutical companies
- get new therapies onto pharmacy shelves
- increase transparency into drug pricing decisions
- cut down FDA approval time for new medicines
- bring drug manufacturing back to the U.S.
Source: 2020 New Jersey Senate campaign website RikForNJ.com
Mar 18, 2020
Robert Menendez:
Repealing ObamaCare would hike premiums & hurt the disabled
Q: Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as ObamaCare?Robert Hugin (R): Said Republican repeal effort would be "great for the country." Keep good aspects of ObamaCare.
Robert Menendez (D): Supports. Repeal would have "hiked premiums.
gutted the guarantee of essential benefits, disproportionately hurt women & the disabled.to pay for a massive tax cut for the richest."
Q: Require people to work to receive Medicaid?
Menendez: No. "Some Medicaid recipients physically cannot work."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Jersey Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Seth Kaper-Dale:
Health care a right, not a benefit
NJ Single Payer Medicare for All would provide first-rate health care for all New Jerseyans and would save billions of dollars. The health care we receive is managed by an unnecessary and ridiculously expensive middle-manager --
the health insurance industry. After eliminating insurance payments, an increase in payroll taxes (6% on the employer side, 2% on the employee) could put this program into effect immediately with no deductibles, no co-pays, no premiums.
Source: 2018 New Jersey Governor website KaperDaleForGovernor.com
Aug 8, 2017
Steve Fulop:
Partner with public health groups to fight urban disparities
Mayor Steven M. Fulop, in collaboration with [city and private agencies], has been identified to receive a $10,000 community seed award from the HealthyCommunity50 Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge, for work toward making measurable change in
their local communities.The Challenge, a partnership between the Aetna Foundation & the American Public Health Association, will award $1.5 million in prizes to small and mid-sized cities & counties that are able to show measurable change over the
course of several years working with cross-sector partnerships to implement health innovations and data-driven solutions. Hundreds of public/private entities applied nationwide.
"I am thrilled that the Jersey City HealthyCommunity50 Collaborative was
selected to receive grant dollars to enhance the meaningful work we're doing to increase health and develop strong partnerships to combat health disparities that plague cities like ours," said Mayor Fulop.
Source: Mayoral press release for 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial race
Sep 15, 2016
Steve Fulop:
Combat health disparities that plague cities
The Jersey City Anti Violence Coalition Movement has been identified to receive a $10,000 community seed award from the HealthyCommunity50 Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge. This Jersey City-based HealthyCommunity50 Collaborative is one of 50
organizations nationwide awarded for work toward making measurable change in their local communities.The Challenge will award $1.5 million in prizes to cities & counties that are able to show measurable change over the course of several years working
with cross-sector partnerships to implement health innovations and data-driven solutions. The HealthyCommunity50 were chosen based on plans to improve the health of their communities in at least one of five domains:
- Healthy behaviors
- community
safety
- built environment
- social/economic factors and
- environmental exposures.
"I am thrilled that the Jersey City HealthyCommunity50 Collaborative was selected to combat health disparities that plague cities like ours," said Mayor Fulop.
Source: Mayoral press release in 2017 New Jersey gubernatorial race
Sep 15, 2016
Stuart Meissner:
Under socialized medicine "I wouldn't be alive today"
He developed a rare and aggressive form of cancer but survived due to successful surgery just a week after the discovery. He tied this personal experience to the "Medicare for all" debate, saying he is against socialized medicine, noting "Had
I been under such a plan I wouldn't be alive today." He explained that among the flaws of such a system is the wait time for surgery, which can take months. His view is that for any new plan, "pre-existing conditions must be taken into consideration.
Source: Jewish Link NJ e-zine on 2020 New Jersey Senate race
Jan 22, 2020
Stuart Meissner:
Americans should not pay higher prices for drugs
Regarding the issue of prescription drug costs, Meissner was animated. "I want a law enacted where U.S. citizens cannot be charged higher prices for drugs than what citizens of other countries pay. We need to level the playing field."
He explained that although many large pharmaceutical companies are U.S.-based, we pay considerably more for the same medications than Canada and Mexico. His belief is that the U.S. is subsidizing the world in this area.
Source: Jewish Link NJ e-zine on 2020 New Jersey Senate race
Jan 22, 2020
Thomas Kean Jr.:
Ok for state to sue to prevent ObamaCare implementation
Excerpts from legislation: Urges Governor not to join lawsuit against enforcement of new federal health reforms: - Whereas, a number of states have undertaken legal action to [stop implementation of ObamaCare]
- Whereas, ObamaCare
will make health care coverage more affordable for businesses and families, enable millions of the uninsured to gain coverage, and help to control the relentless rise in health care costs
- Whereas, from 2000 through 2009, the increase in the cost of
family health care coverage premiums for New Jersey workers outpaced the increase in their median earnings by 4-to-1; however, under the new health reforms, New Jerseyans with moderate incomes will receive sliding-scale subsidies to help them purchase
high-quality health care coverage
- Be It Resolved: The Governor is respectfully urged not to join any [anti-ObamaCare] lawsuit
Legislative outcome: Sen. Kean voted NO; Resolution passed Senate 21-16-3; sent to Governor
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: SCR 108
Jun 21, 2010
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023