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.

Supports programs for screening, immunization, & prevention

Accomplishments as Mayor in health care services:
• Recognized by NJ Department of Health for the large number of children receiving immunizations.
• Developed a comprehensive preventative health care program offering screenings for cancer, osteoporosis, hypertension, vision & hearing.
• In partnership with JFK Hospital, developed a breast cancer screening program for women. With the New Jersey Cancer Institute, developed the only municipal lung cancer screening program in the state.

Supports funding mammograms and breast cancer treatment

Legislative accomplishments:
• Wrote the law that requires health insurance companies to cover the cost of mammograms.
• Co-sponsored a law that requires insurers to pay for inpatient care after breast cancer surgery.
• In the Assembly, led efforts for health care reform. Served as the Chairman of the Assembly Health Care Policy Study Commission and as a member of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Costs.

Supports funding senior prescriptions & home health care

Legislative accomplishments:
• Fought Governor Whitman’s efforts to reduce the pay rate for caregivers working in the Personal Care Assistant program. This program provides home health care services to elderly citizens enabling them to remain in their own homes rather than going to nursing homes.
• Sponsored legislation to lower co-payments from five dollars to two dollars for prescription drugs.