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Lawmakers Consider NJ Health Insurance Mandate

Senator Joe Vitale

The federal Affordable Care Act provision imposing a tax penalty on those without health insurance expires at the end of the year. Some New Jersey lawmakers want to state to replace it with a mandate of its own.

Senator Joe Vitale says his bill would help the state's insurance marketplace remain vibrant.

"Having everyone, as many people in insurance as possible, makes it more affordable for everyone. For those who don't believe they'll get sick or they don't need insurance right now, they're young, they're healthy, they don't enroll. It has an awful effect on rates for those who do take the responsibility to have health insurance."

Ray Castro is the director of health policy at New Jersey Policy Perspective. He believes fines to encourage more people to buy health coverage will affect insurance premiums.

"This year the rates went up $400 a person and $1600 for a four-person family as a result of the weakening of the mandate. We expect an even bigger increase in that next year."

Senator Gerald Cardinale opposes the insurance mandate.

"The tendency of legislators to try to run people's lives is not warranted. We're not that smart. People can make decisions for themselves and they very frequently make them better than we do."

Maura Collinsgru is the health care program director at New Jersey Citizen Action. She supports the idea in principle but says the legislation must be fully vetted before it’s finalized.

“The bill seeks to exempt individuals who cannot afford coverage. The methods and amounts of what would constitute affordability, I believe, need further clarification.”