New Jersey is facing a November 16th deadline for creating its own insurance exchange to comply with the federal health care overhaul.
Lawmakers are trying to enact a measure that will be acceptable to Governor Chris Christie.

The governor vetoed a previous version of the legislation in May. Among the concerns he cited was the $50,0000 salary to be paid to each of the 10-member exchange’s part-time directors.

Senator Nia Gill says the bill was amended to eliminate that provision.

“The $50,000 that I think once this exchange gets up and running and people see all the work that’s necessary may have been valid, but in order to move the exchange that was a point that I was willing to concede on.”

Another amendment calls for two members with health care industry experience to be on the exchange board, but to avoid any conflict of interest they can’t currently be working in the industry.

Gill says it’s important for New Jersey to have its own exchange.
 

“As long as you retain the substantive and the regulatory power we can then react in a more timely manner to the market demands of the exchange.”

The Senate Commerce Committee has advanced the bill. Republican Senator Gerald Cardinale voted against it, saying it includes impediments to providing affordable health care.

“I am actually disappointed but I am encouraged that the governor has the opportunity to make some changes or once again veto the bill in an outright fashion.”