A Lousy End to The Week!

by: Senator Loretta Weinberg

Fri Jul 23, 2010 at 10:40:54 PM EDT

Governor Christie is trying to make this look like a budget decision. Really? Governor, you must know that continually repeating a myth doesn't make it into a fact. The Governor continues to maintain that the Federally Qualified Health Centers can pick up the slack. He must know that this is untrue! We've presented all the financial information on how near the financial edge the FQHCs are. Their own representative said there would be "lines around the block" if they attempt to pick up these extra patients. The Treasurer (who was afraid to appear in public before the Health Committee) never supplied us with any information on why he differs with the Office of Legislative Services on the funding source.

The veto message talks about how the state funded CEED program will allow poor women access to mammograms. I guess the Governor doesn't know that one needs a prescription from a Doc to get a mammogram. In another words, women (even uninsured ones) are entitled to access to a family Doctor or an OB/GYN for general health care. How short sited and uninformed he is.

And what about a simple amendment to our state plan which will generate a 9 to 1 match? The Governor wants no part of that either. So he's leaving millions of dollars of federal aide on the table. Makes no fiscal sense - Unless it's not about dollars at all! So I guess it must be idealogical. Poor women are Not entitled to appropriate health care and certainly are not entitled to access to birth control. Just ask the Republican State Chair about that.

We must organize and contact every member of the legislature to urge their override vote. Let's hope that this is one where the Republicans in the Legislature will be willing to stand up to this Governor when he is so clearly wrong on the subject!

We'll keep you informed as plans are developed. Are women and their families worth the fight? You bet we are (and they are)! Yes, Governor, women's access to health care is a priority contrary to your past statements! And we are going to prove that the majority of New Jerseyans agree with us.