HPAE Joins With Activist Groups to Urge Gov. Christie to Expand the Medicaid Program

February 25, 2013

HPAE joined New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) and othe groups at a press conference in Trenton to urge Governor Christie to agree to the expansion of Medicaid in New Jersey.

As part of the the Affordable Care Act (ACA), states have the option of accepting or rejecting additional federal funding to expand the Medicaid program. As of today, Governor Christie has still not decided what position he will take on this issue.

Read an Article on the Press Conference

HPAE and other advocates of an expansion of the Medicaid program point out that not only is it the right thing to do, but that expanding Medicaid will bring an additional $2.5 billion healthcare dollars into the state. This will result in more financially healthy hospitals, increased employment, and better health outcomes for New Jersey citizens.

Juan Sequinot, a laid-off member of HPAE Local 5147 at Meadowlands Hospital, spoke at the press conference of how difficult his family's life has been without health insurance. He urged Governor Christie to agree to the expansion of the Medicaid program.

Click Here to Sign a Petition in Support of the Expansion of Medicaid in New Jersey

Photo of Juan Sequinot speaking at the press conference in Trenton today: