NJ Department of Human Services Announces NJ FamilyCare Express Application
State Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex County , joined Human Services Commissioner James M. Davy today in launching a pilot program in which new express enrollment applications for NJ FamilyCare will be handed out in eight school districts throughout the state.
Speaking at the Avenel Street School in Woodbridge Township , Sen. Vitale and Commissioner Davy said that parents of school children in these pilot districts will now have an easier way to apply for the state-sponsored health insurance.
“Every New Jersey child has a right to healthcare coverage, and today's announcement marks another step toward keeping every New Jersey child healthy,” said Commissioner Davy. “Families whose employers don't offer healthcare coverage or parents who are in-between jobs no longer have to hope that their children don't get sick. NJ FamilyCare provides free or low-cost health insurance to address children's healthcare needs and demonstrates New Jersey 's continued commitment to protect our children.”
The new, shortened NJ FamilyCare express enrollment application will be attached to the free and reduced-price lunch application allowing eligible families to apply for NJ FamilyCare for their children at the same time they apply for the National School Lunch Program. The participating schools are in Woodbridge , Perth Amboy , North Bergen , Lower Township , Keansburg, Gloucester City , Passaic City and Collingswood .
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“ New Jersey still has a staggeringly high number of uninsured children who qualify for NJ FamilyCare, but are not enrolled -- this is simply unacceptable,” said Sen. Vitale. “It is our job, as a state, to ensure that our future generations have the proper tools they need, and healthcare is one of these crucial elements. I am committed to identifying and implementing innovative programs like this to increase enrollment in NJ FamilyCare. Without proper preventive and acute care, their ability to learn and grow is stunted. Every child, everywhere, deserves equal footing to help them reach their future aspirations.”
Students who are eligible for the lunch program are likely to be eligible for NJ FamilyCare since it has a much higher income eligibility level than the National School Lunch Program.
Even those children who are not eligible for the free and reduced-price lunch program may still qualify for NJ FamilyCare. For instance, a family of four can earn nearly $66,000 and the children may be eligible for NJ FamilyCare. Families can also apply for their children by calling 1-800-701-0710.
Sen. Vitale and state Sen. Ellen Karcher, D-Monmouth, Mercer Counties , spearheaded the program when they introduced legislation that requires the Department of Human Services, the Department of Education, and the Department of Agriculture work with Rutgers Center for State Health Policy, to develop a program to expedite and streamline the application process so more uninsured children may receive health coverage.
“Any child that qualifies for Free or Reduced Price Meals meets the income eligibility for NJ FamilyCare,” said Sen. Karcher. “Linking the Free or Reduced Price Meals application with the FamilyCare Express Enrollment form seemed to be the logical next step. This form will allow the state to reach out to many of the families of the 70,000 children who lack health insurance and are eligible for the program.”
The Department of Human Services will use the pilot program to identify challenges and necessary improvements to ensure that all eligible children have the opportunity to be insured by NJ FamilyCare. Rutgers will analyze data from the pilot and prepare a report by April 1, 2005 , evaluating its effectiveness.
“This pilot program is one of many initiatives New Jersey will institute in the coming year to educate more families about our child-first approach,” said Commissioner Davy. “We are working hard to bridge the gap between uninsured children and available healthcare options.”
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