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McKeon Statement on Christie’s State of the State Address

Assemblyman John F. McKeon (D-Essex/Morris), lead sponsor of legislation to require certain health benefits plans to provide coverage for behavioral health care services determined to be medically necessary, including 90 days per year of inpatient residential care, issued the following statement Tuesday after Gov. Chris Christie’s State of the State address:

“Gov. Christie’s speech today hit many honest points that need to be discussed in the open when it comes to addiction. One in particular, his proposal for mandating insurance companies to pay for up to 180 days of inpatient rehabilitation/detox, is exactly what we need to be doing.

“In May, I introduced a bill to expand mandated insurance coverage to up to 90 days in an inpatient facility (A-3743). Knowing where the Governor stands on this particular issue gives me hope that we in New Jersey, coming together as one team, can help those with addiction.

“I stand ready to assist with Speaker Prieto and the rest of our legislative leadership to move such a bill as the Governor has described and get it to his desk immediately. “