NJ Spotlight published the following article on January 10, 2014. To read the full article, click here.
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT OUTREACH REMAINS SPOTTY IN SOME PARTS OF NJ
ANDREW KITCHENMAN | FEBRUARY 10, 2014
With seven weeks to go until the March 31 deadline for state residents to buy health insurance or face federal tax penalties, gaps remain both in the outreach effort to let people know about the new federal health insurance marketplace and in the programs to enroll them.
One of the largest gaps: six New Jersey counties that did not receive federal funding for so-called Navigators, organizations that get the word out about ACA coverage and help residents sign up for what they need.
The problem can be traced back to Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to rely on a federally run marketplace, rather than setting up a state-operated system, which severely limited the state from qualifying for federal funds that can be used for outreach.
What makes the situation particularly frustrating for healthcare advocates is that federal money may be available. The feds originally gave New Jersey $7.67 million to build its own exchange, but when the administration opted not to, the funds were off the table.