NJHA: Charity Care Must Be a Priority as Uninsured Burden Grows

But Taxing Hospital Care to Pay for It Makes Little Sense

PRINCETON, N.J., March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Statement of Betsy Ryan, President and CEO, New Jersey Hospital Association:

"We recognize Gov. Christie's daunting task in preserving charity care funding in an extremely difficult budget, however, we are disappointed that he proposes funding this critical program through a $45 million tax hike on hospital care. It simply makes no sense to tax hospitals to fund hospitals. The pain will be felt not only by hospitals themselves, but also by New Jersey patients and businesses, who already are struggling with the rising costs of healthcare.

"Nearly half of New Jersey's hospitals are losing money, and this added tax on hospital care could strike a significant financial blow to many of them. The full impact of this tax hike will hinge largely on the details, which are unknown at this early point in the budget process. We are eager to get to work with the Christie Administration and with members of the state Legislature to examine the details and explore all possibilities for federal matching funds that could help alleviate New Jersey's budget burden while preserving care for all New Jersey residents who depend on their local community hospitals."

SOURCE New Jersey Hospital Association