ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, No. 1590

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

ADOPTED MAY 2, 1996

Sponsored by Assemblywoman VANDERVALK, Assemblyman LANCE and Assemblywoman MURPHY

An Act concerning the Health Care Subsidy Fund and amending and supplementing P.L.1992, c.160.

      Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

      1. Section 15 of P.L.1992, c.160 (C.26:2H-18.65) is amended to read as follows:

      15. There is established in the Department of Health the Health Access New Jersey program. The purpose of the program is to provide subsidies for health benefits coverage, in order to provide for health care [which shall be delivered in disproportionate share hospitals and by other community-based health care providers] for low income, uninsured children, working people and those temporarily unemployed, based on a sliding income scale with modest copayments. The program shall include the provision of early preventive and primary care [to help reduce costs for families and individuals].

      The commissioner shall adopt regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act, " P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) that determine eligibility for the program and the allocation of all funds in this account.

      The commissioner shall contract with health insurance carriers, health maintenance organizations and other appropriate entities in the State to administer the program.

(cf: P.L.1995, c.133, s.10)

      2. Section 16 of P.L.1992, c.160 (C.26:2H-18.66) is amended to read as follows:

      16. The Health Access New Jersey subsidy account shall be allocated $50 million in 1995, [$100] $10 million in 1996, and [$150] $25 million in 1997 [and each year thereafter].

(cf: P.L.1995, c.133, s.11)

      3. (New section) The Health Access New Jersey subsidy account in the Health Care Subsidy Fund shall be funded with General Fund revenues in the following amounts: in calendar year 1996, $10 million; and in calendar year 1997, $25 million.

      4. (New section) The Commissioner of Health shall transfer to the Division of Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Addiction Services in the Department of Health from the Health Care Subsidy Fund, $10 million in Fiscal Year 1997 and $20 million in Fiscal Year 1998 and each fiscal year thereafter, or such sums as are made available pursuant to section 5 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill), whichever amount is less, according to a schedule to be determined by the Commissioner of Health, to fund community-based drug abuse treatment programs in the following order of priority: residential, inpatient, intensive day and outpatient treatment.

      5. (New section) The State Treasurer shall transfer to the Health Care Subsidy Fund established pursuant to section 8 of P.L.1992, c.160 (C.26:2H-18.58), revenues generated from third party liability recoveries by the State for the purposes provided in section 4 of P.L.     , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill).

      6. This act shall take effect immediately.

Provides funding for Health Access NJ program and drug abuse treatment programs.