RELEASE: December 13, 2004

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  CODEY ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO HELP FAMILIES WITH SICK CHILDREN

Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Helps 159 Families

( TRENTON )—Acting Governor Richard J. Codey today announced nearly $4.3 million in grants from the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to help 159 families pay for uncovered medical bills related to their child's illness.

“Every day, these families struggle with medical and emotional issues that few of us can comprehend,” said Codey. “They have enough to worry about without having to fear whether they can pay the bills. This is where government, in some small way, can ease their burden.”

Joining Codey for the announcement were five families who received nearly $83,000 from the fund this first half of the fiscal year. The commission has approved approximately $90 million in assistance since it began making awards in December 1989.

“We are proud that this fund is available to help New Jersey families,” said Department of Human Services Commissioner, James M. Davy. “If a child becomes ill and a family is overwhelmed with medical expenses, this fund can make a critical difference.”

Families of any income may apply for assistance. To qualify, a child's unreimbursed medical and related expenses must exceed 10 percent of the family's income up to $100,000 and15 percent of any excess income over $100,000. The fund does not limit coverage to specific diseases or diagnoses. The child must have been 21 years or younger when the medical expenses were incurred and families must be state residents. Expenses must have been incurred during a previous 12-month period, and expenses dating back to January 1988 will be considered.

Eligible medical and related expenses are those not fully covered by insurance, state or federal programs and include hospital and physician bills, medications, medical equipment, psychiatric care, home health care, and specialized home and vehicle modifications.

“The fund serves as a safety net for families,” said Jane Lorber, chairwoman of the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Commission. “The relief found in the financial benefit of the fund allows families to maintain their family life while caring for a sick child and coping with mounting medical bills.”

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Most of the families helped by the fund have been working parents with health insurance, but their out-of -pocket expenses were still greater than 10 percent of their income.

“We define catastrophic in terms of the economic impact the child's illness has on the family,” said Ralph J. Condo, executive director of the fund. “A family may have health insurance, but coverage often is inadequate and mounting bills can quickly become catastrophic for a family.”

The fund is supported by an annual surcharge of $1 per employee levied on all employers who are subject to the New Jersey Unemployment Compensation Law.

While legislation creating the fund protects the anonymity of families applying for help, the families joining Codey today wanted to share their experiences as a way of encouraging other families to apply for assistance. Their profiles are as follows:

Richard and Alicia Brickner, of Clayton, Gloucester County, were insured when their daughters experienced illnesses requiring hospitalization, during the same year. Abbegale, 6, had a severe upper respiratory condition and was diagnosed with asthma. Their younger daughter, Allison, 3, had a kidney disorder and required surgery. After these two major events and following payment by their insurance, the family was left with significant out-of-pocket expenses. The fund was able to help this family with an award of $5,492 for Abbegale and $8,144 for Allison.

Barbara Werner of Brigantine, Atlantic County , carries health insurance for her son Craige, who is now 19. Craige, who has a neuromuscular disease, uses a wheelchair for mobility and required several adaptations to their home in order for it to be accessible. Having previously applied, Werner was familiar with the program and knew she could reapply annually. This year she received more than $23,000 for additional home modifications, durable medical equipment, pharmacy expenses and outpatient therapies.

Aaron and Wanda Saunders of Burlington, Burlington County, have health insurance for their daughter Erin, who is 12 and has cerebral palsy. Erin uses a wheelchair for mobility and requires special accommodations for medically related travel and to assist her in her daily living activities. Her family purchased a modified van to facilitate her transportation and also installed a stair lift in their house, giving Erin access to all areas of their home. The fund assisted the family with an award of more than $34,000.

Pamela Murphy of Brick, Ocean County , was on vacation with her family when her daughter Elizabeth, now 12, became seriously ill with a systemic infection and required a prolonged hospitalization. After complicated treatment and surgeries, the family was left with a balance for physicians' services that were not paid by insurance. The fund awarded $4,450 to relieve them of this debt.

Joseph and Jennifer Colamedici of Westfield , Union County , were insured when they incurred uncovered expenses for their son Joseph, now 4. Joseph has a sensorineural hearing loss and requires extensive speech therapy as well as physician follow up The fund was able to help the family with more than $7,600 for this year's expenses. The family had also applied for a previous year, receiving more than $8,500 to cover costs for Joseph's hearing aide as well as physicians and speech therapy expenses not covered by insurance.

For information about the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, call 1-800-335-FUND or visit http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/catill/cicrf1.htm

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