As part of his $29.8 billion budget delivered to state legislators, New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine is allocating millions to help the uninsured.

Jon S. Corzine

Corzine pledged a $193 million increase in funding for the NJ Family Care program, a federal- and state-funded health insurance program for the state’s uninsured children and certain low-income parents and guardians to provide health coverage. The program covers children up to 350% of the federal poverty level for New Jersey.

In February, praising the extension of the State Children’s Insurance Health Program, Corzine said “ensuring that children have access to health insurance so they have a healthy start in life” has been a top priority as governor and through SCHIP and NJ FamilyCare.

“We are making great strides to reach these children and we will continue our outreach efforts to enroll every eligible child,” the governor said in a statement.
The latest funding boost comes in a budget that cuts government spending, including a savings of nearly $400 million through a proposed wage freeze and furlough of state workers.

“Around kitchen tables, every family knows what it means to make tough choices in these tough times,” Corzine said in a statement Tuesday (March 10).  “But people also understand the importance of making the right choices.  They identify their most important priorities, and they change their spending habits to live within their means.  That’s exactly what those of us in this chamber must do in this budget session.”

The governor’s budget includes $4 billion in spending cuts, with more than 850 line items taking a direct hit, while also funding pre-school expansion, increasing school, expands the senior property tax freeze and preserves property tax rebates for two-thirds of state residents.

Overall, Corzine’s $29.8 billion budget is about $3 billion less than the budget enacted last June, representing the largest one-year spending cut in state history, he said.
It also uses $2 billion in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help deal with a $7 billion funding gap.