(TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Chairman Vincent Prieto on Wednesday said the Christie administration has declined his invitation to update taxpayers on its plan revise the Medicaid health care program for low-income residents.
The Assembly Budget Committee hoped to meet Thursday to get an update from the Christie administration on it’s Medicaid plan. The administration has booked $300 million in savings from revising the Medicaid program.
Prieto invited Commissioner of Human Services Jennifer Velez and the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services Mary O’Dowd. The hearing is now canceled.
Prieto released the following statement:
“This is an unfortunate start to my hope to work cooperatively with the Christie administration. All we were seeking was what the taxpayers expect – an update on where this plan stands and when, if ever, the state will start saving money without jeopardizing health care for working class families.
“The administration claims it’s premature to discuss this issue, but we’re more than halfway through the fiscal year. We still don’t know whether these savings are going to materialize nor do we know the administration’s backup plan.
“The taxpayers don’t want excuses and politics. They want accountability and answers.
“We must know if this is a realistic and fiscally responsible plan that won’t blow a hole in the state budget and risk access to quality health care, but the administration is being unresponsive. New Jersey taxpayers deserve better.”
