N.J. legislator introduces public option health plan bill

New Jersey state Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, a Democrat, has introduced the “New Jersey Public Option Health Care Act” bill.

If adopted, the “JERSEYCare” bill would create a state-run, publicly-funded health plan.

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The bill, A-4211, would not replace the state’s traditional health insurance system. Instead, the bill would work within the existing framework to create what Assemblyman Gusciora characterized as “an affordable alternative.”

Under the bill, the health commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of Banking and Insurance, would be required to establish and implement the program, which would provide a comprehensive health insurance coverage option for every state resident who enrolls in the program.

The health insurance coverage offered by the program would compete in the market with insurance offered by private health insurers.

Under the bill, every resident of the state would be eligible and entitled to enroll as a member under the program. The commissioner of Health would establish premiums in a manner to make the program viable, but at the lowest possible cost to members.