Press Release

NJPP: State Health Exchange a Win for Working Families

Creation of state health exchange is great news for residents who have been struggling to afford their health insurance.

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Published on Mar 22, 2019 in Health

In response to Governor Murphy’s announcement that the State of New Jersey will establish a state-based health care exchange for the year 2021, NJPP Health Policy Director Raymond Castro praised the decision, calling it a win for working families. See below for a complete statement:

RAYMOND CASTRO, HEALTH POLICY DIRECTOR, NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE:

“This is great news for residents who have been struggling to afford their health insurance. It will allow the state the flexibility to provide even better assistance to working New Jerseyans. States with their own exchanges are exploring and implementing innovative ways to reduce premiums and cost sharing for all income levels, with some states even allowing individuals who are not eligible for federal subsidies to purchase plans at much lower rates. These actions, combined with better outreach, will reduce  premiums in the individual marketplace by encouraging healthier New Jerseyans to participate in the Exchange. It should also reverse this year’s decrease in enrollment in the Exchange (from 265,000 to 240,000).

“Remarkably, the state Exchange can be established without additional state funds since insurer fees that otherwise would go to the federal government will stay in New Jersey, where they can be better used to meet the state’s unique needs.

“We also welcome Governor Murphy’s proposal to codify all of the ACA’s major consumer protections in state law. This will ensure that no matter what the Trump administration or Congress does, New Jerseyans will be protected with quality, affordable insurance.”

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Author

  • Ray Castro was formerly the Director of Health Policy for NJPP. In this role, he worked to improve the health outcomes of New Jerseyans by producing reports, testifying in legislative hearings and working with advocates, legislators and their staff, and other key stakeholders to change policy and boost families in need.

    Ray’s research interests include: the Affordable Care Act, universal health coverage, NJ FamilyCare, health care transformation, poverty, the social safety net, public assistance and working family tax credits.

    Before joining NJPP in August 2006, Ray worked for the New Jersey Department of Human Services for more than 30 years, mainly serving as the Director of the DHS Office of Legislative Services in the Commissioner’s office. He was closely involved with developing federal and state legislation relating to Medicaid, mental health, welfare reform, child protective services, child care and other work support programs, and helped develop the policy and legislative strategy that led to New Jersey’s state Earned Income Tax Credit.

    He received a BA in psychology from the University of California-Berkeley and holds a master’s in social work degree with a specialization in policy from Rutgers University.