Chris Christie vetos Family Planning

Planned Parenthood statement (0.00 / 0)

This statement is from Michele Jaker, executive director of Planned Parenthood:

"We were outraged to hear that the Governor has vetoed legislation that provided funding for women's health care in New Jersey.  Not only did this bill have its own funding source, but it allowed the state to leverage significant federal funding for these services," said Michele Jaker, Executive Director. "Do we really live in a state that walks away from tens of millions of federal dollars simply because it funds women's health care?"

"Investing in women's health is not only good policy, it helps save money. Each public dollar spent to provide family planning services saves an estimated $4 that would otherwise be spent in Medicaid-related costs alone.  So, for the money saved by eliminating state funding for women's health care the state will pay at least $28 million more in Medicaid expenses and this doesn't even include the millions in federal money that is left sitting on the table.  It just makes no sense."

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Fri Jul 23, 2010 at 21:02:54 PM UTC

Sen. Vitale statement (0.00 / 0)

"The Governor's veto of these bills represents a colossal mistake in terms of ensuring health care access for people who have nowhere else to turn.  Not only are these vetoes inhumane, they also make little fiscal sense when you consider that the State will face much larger health care costs in terms of providing medical care for the uninsured.

"Governor Christie's veto and his continuing disregard for the well-being of tens of thousands of working parents, places their health and lives in jeopardy.

"The Governor's veto will drive people to seek treatment in federally-qualified health centers, which aren't adequately funded to meet the increased demand, and emergency rooms, taking resources away from true emergency cases.  When you add in the fact that the Governor has slashed funding for the AIDS drug program, more people will become sick, and more demand will be placed on our health care safety net than ever before.

"I'm at least encouraged by the fact that women's health funding was approved with a bipartisan, veto-proof majority.  I'm hoping to work with the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers who understand the importance of health care access to hopefully reverse these short-sighted vetoes through a legislative override.

"Whatever the result, New Jersey has to meet its responsibility to provide adequate, affordable access to health care for the more than one million State residents who currently don't have health insurance, or are under-insured.  This isn't a matter of tough budget choices.  This is a matter of shirking our responsibility to those in greatest need."
 

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Fri Jul 23, 2010 at 21:05:27 PM UTC

Loretta Weinberg statement (0.00 / 0)

 
"It's a sad day when the Governor of the State of New Jersey decides to put political ideology ahead of the health and safety of women and men across the Garden State.

"The Governor has perpetuated a myth that this decision has to do with budget choices.

"However, when pressed, he was able to find $65 million in funds which were squirreled away in the budget to maintain Bergen County's blue laws.  He did so by revising tax collection revenues.  No new funding source, just a prediction that more money will magically fall into our laps.

"He was able to find $5 million at the last minute to secure Senator Doherty's vote on the budget and relieve businesses from further fees.  Again, no identified funding source.

"These are important causes, and I support them.  But when weighed against women's health and family planning funding, there's absolutely no question where the State should be spending our money.

"We were able to identify a funding source which was budget neutral.  It was supported by non-partisan Office of Legislative Services budget predictions... predictions that the Governor and his Treasurer have yet to tell us where they disagree.

"We heard from the federally-qualified health centers that they will be able to handle any new patients that come their way as a result of the Governor's funding cuts.  Unfortunately, patients will have to wait in lines which stretch around the block, and FQHCs will be pushed further beyond the fiscal precipice on which they now sit.

"Governor Christie has sided with conservative politics against the women of the Garden State.  However, despite this setback, we will push for a veto override.  The bill was approved by a veto-proof majority in the Senate, and I believe we can win more support in the Assembly in an override attempt.

"Hopefully, the Legislature can correct this short-sighted mistake from a Governor who values political party cred over women's health."

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Fri Jul 23, 2010 at 21:33:22 PM UTC

Wisniewski statement (0.00 / 0)

" Today, on a late Friday, summer afternoon, Coward King Christie let down the women of New Jersey to further appeal to his national right wing base by vetoing the Women's Health Funding restoration bill.  This bill passed with bi-partisan support in both Houses.

During the campaign Christie was shocked and outraged that his commitment to women's health was being questioned, calling Democrats charges 'deceitful'.  The only deceitful thing about the issue was Chris Christie using his wife and mother in a campaign commercial to refute the charges and con New Jersey voters into thinking that he cared about women's health.

Signing this veto on a late Friday, summer afternoon may be designed to lessen the media coverage of this shameful act, but we will not forget the immediate danger he has put women's health in around the state.  Working with my many legislative colleagues who sponsored this bill, we will do everything in our power to override his veto."

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Fri Jul 23, 2010 at 21:38:10 PM UTC

My Statement. GOOD! (0.00 / 0)

Screw him, time to work on the override. The Senate will hold fast it is time to target 15( ?) Repubicans in the Assembly. I think it needs 58.

Time to target people.  

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by: firstamend07 @ Fri Jul 23, 2010 at 21:50:11 PM UTC

i second that (0.00 / 0)

agreed 100%.  let's get 'em people.

this is an issue that really unites the whole tent.  so let's break out an erase board and start a whip count.

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Fri Jul 23, 2010 at 22:51:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Absolutely. (0.00 / 0)

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Fri Jul 23, 2010 at 23:46:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

A little misleading (0.00 / 0)

Headline ...one can still get a abortion ,but the taxpayer won't pay for it ....I see nothing in our constitution that says's taxpayers must provide free family health care ...do you ? The state is broke ,the taxpayers are broke and it's going to get a lot worst  

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by: speedkillsu @ Fri Jul 23, 2010 at 23:02:09 PM UTC

while you're looking at the constitution... (0.00 / 0)

.....does it say anything about the charity care or ER bills that will now have to pay only at a souped up premium?   it's not like being pound foolish -- as Christie is being -- makes the problems go away.

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Fri Jul 23, 2010 at 23:18:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

We can use some help on the phones for starters (4.00 / 1)

Right now we are looking for volunteers to phone bank Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 to 4.  All you need is a phone and internet to participate.  E-mail jessica.ohanlon@ppfa.org for details.

Our on-line petition is at the link below.  Sign it, circulate it!

THANKS for your help getting the word out.  This is outrageous.

Visit us at www.womenshealthmattersnj.org!

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by: Michele Jaker @ Sat Jul 24, 2010 at 00:58:54 AM UTC

They will override this, right? (0.00 / 0)

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by: NJBlues @ Sun Jul 25, 2010 at 00:06:49 AM UTC

Questions of votes (4.00 / 2)

They have the votes to override in the Senate per the initial vote, however they were short of the votes to override in the Assembly. So pressure will have to be brought for people to switch their votes on this.

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by: Jason Springer @ Sun Jul 25, 2010 at 01:19:38 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

There is a petition you can sign here (0.00 / 0)

http://edpotosnak.com/index.ph...

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by: ericbac @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 20:09:25 PM UTC