ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, No. 1590

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 2, 1996

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports without recommendation a committee substitute for Assembly Bill No. 1590.

      This committee substitute clarifies that the purpose of the Health Access New Jersey subsidized insurance program established pursuant to P.L.1992, c.160 (C.26:2H-18.51 et al.) shall be to provide health insurance coverage for low-income, uninsured children as well as working people and those temporarily unemployed. The substitute funds the program at $10 million in 1996 and $25 million in 1997 from General Fund revenues appropriated to the Health Access New Jersey subsidy account in the Health Care Subsidy Fund.

      The committee substitute also provides funding for community-based drug abuse treatment programs in the amount of up to $10 million in 1996 and $20 million in 1997 and each succeeding year. These revenues will be generated from third party liability recoveries by the State.