MORRISTOWN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday announced an expansion of state-provided health insurance for all children in the state, whether they are citizens or noncitizens.
Every kid should have health care coverage, said Murphy, whose Cover All Kids initiative launched in 2021. The Department of Health and Human Services estimates 16,000 children are newly eligible to enroll in NJ FamilyCare.
“After all, this is not called ‘Cover Some Kids’ or ‘Cover Most Kids.’ This is called ‘Cover All Kids,’” the governor said.
“In a state as wealthy as ours, a state which claims unrivaled leadership in health care, we cannot leave any child without vital life-improving and potentially life-saving health care,” he said.
No family should be hammered with a massive hospital bill because a child got sick or got hurt, said Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman, who joined Murphy at the Zufall Health Wellness Center in Morristown to highlight the details of the expanded program.
“To truly realize our vision of becoming an opportunity state, New Jersey’s public programs and services must grow to reflect the increasingly diverse families that call our state home,” she said.
“With this expansion of Cover All Kids, health care cost is one less thing immigrant families have to worry about.”
As long as a family meets Medicaid income requirements, the children will be eligible, Adelman said.
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“Investing in regular and consistent health care coverage is an investment in peace of mind for all New Jersey families. It is also an investment, by the way, in consumer choice as they search for quality providers best suited for them.”
Murphy said the state will be reaching out to those families through schools and community groups to let them know.
Find more information about eligibility requirements at njfamilycare.org.