Media
TAX-REVENUE DOUBLE TAKE: TOO MUCH MONEY GOING TO PROPERTY-TAX RELIEF?
It seems impossible in a state with some of the highest property taxes in the country, but the way the money is divvied up could mean other programs are not getting their fair share
The Ugly Surprise of Out-of-Network Healthcare
You’re about to go “under” for a surgical procedure, and just before they administer the anesthesia, someone arrives at your bedside and says, “Mr. Smith, we forgot to mention it, but the anesthesiologist is not in your network. Don’t worry, though. Everything will be fine.” You wake up, go home, and a few days later, a bill arrives. It appears you’re going to pay an unanticipated $1,000-plus for that out-of-network doctor. Oh, no one told you the cost? Sorry. Maybe next time.
There should never be that kind of “next time” for consumers in New Jersey. Yet my example, if slightly exaggerated, actually occurs. According to the Consumer Union (as reported in press accounts), a Union City woman had to change the date of her surgery. When it occurred, the hospital had left the network, leaving her with a $20,000 bill. A Hamburg man underwent cancer surgery at an in-network hospital with an in-network doctor. One of the surgeon’s assistants was out-of-network. This patient got a bill for $9,000.
GOP LAWMAKERS MAY OPPOSE LEGISLATION TO CAP OUT-OF-NETWORK HEALTHCARE COSTS
Munoz worries that if state moves to cap reimbursements, doctors may decide to give Garden State a wide berth
Measure effectiveness of corporate tax breaks
On Tuesday, Gov. Chris Christie conditionally vetoed legislation that would have allowed the state to measure the effectiveness of the billions in corporate tax incentives it regularly hands out.
Chris Christie Wants To Expand Corporate Tax Breaks Without Any Proof That They Work
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) has approved $5.4 billion in corporate tax breaks since he took office in 2010. And on Monday, just before he called for cutting corporate tax rates across the country as part of a national economic policy plan, he vetoed a measure that would allow taxpayers to evaluate if the subsidies are actually working.
STATE LEGISLATORS TACKLE PERSISTENT PROBLEM OF UNEXPECTED MEDICAL BILLS
Lawmakers draw ire of doctors’ groups who call regulations addressing ‘out of network’ costs unnecessary and even insulting
N.J. doctors fight plan to limit hospital bills
Pushback came from many sides Thursday as Democratic lawmakers in Trenton unveiled a plan to corral high out-of-network charges and protect consumers from surprise medical bills when they go to the hospital.
NJ Assembly approves bill dedicating higher fines to pedestrian safety
New Jersey lawmakers approved legislation Thursday to fund pedestrian safety improvements with higher traffic fines.
Obama returning to South Jersey on Monday
President Barack Obama is poised to make a return visit to South Jersey next week. Obama will visit Camden on Monday to meet with law enforcement officers and young people, and hear how the Camden County Police Department works to force relationships with the community, the White House said Thursday.