(TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Chairman Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson/Bergen) released the following statement Wednesday on continued questions surrounding the Christie administration’s still-unapproved plan to revise the Medicaid health care program for low-income New Jerseyans:
“It’s extremely concerning that the Christie administration is still unable – with just three months left in this fiscal year – to explain in complete detail its plan to revise this health care program vital for so many New Jerseyans.
“We know the full $300 million in savings isn’t going to be realized, and the committee was previously told the loss of the waiver savings wasn’t going to be a problem because other savings would be identified.
“Yet, budget documentation lists $206.7 million in supplemental spending to cover the waiver losses.
“That’s not identifying other savings.
“That’s simply requesting more money.
“It’s long past time for the Christie administration to get a better grasp of this situation and provide taxpayers assurances the budget won’t be adversely impacted and that key health care programs will be maintained.”