How Gov. Phil Murphy Protected New Jersey Healthcare From Trump

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy outsmarted Trump and protected his state from the president’s attempt to sabotage Obamacare.


(From Now this News) 

Pallone on Trumpcare Senate Defeat

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2017



Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement this morning after the Senate rejected the so-called “skinny” Trumpcare amendment:

“From the very beginning, every version of Trumpcare has been heartless. The American people were justifiably concerned about losing their health care, paying significantly more money for less care, and the prospect of being discriminated against due to a pre-existing condition. Despite all of the secrecy behind these plans, the American people were never fooled by Trumpcare, and they have consistently voiced their strong opposition to these cruel plans.

“With the Senate’s action early this morning, it is my hope that Republicans will abandon any thought of repealing the Affordable Care Act so that we can work together on bipartisan solutions to reduce costs and improve access to care.”

Schumer: 'We Can Work Together, Our Country Demands It'

From NBC News

"We are relieved."

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) reacts to the dramatic overnight vote that resulted in GOP failing to repeal Obamacare, and pays tribute to Sen. John McCain, who voted against the "skinny" repeal.

Whiny Little Mitch

From NBC News

An emotional Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said after the 1:40 a.m. vote went down that Republicans remained committed to repealing the Obama-era health law. 

“We told our constituents we would vote that way and when the moment came, the moment came, most of us did," he said. 

"This is clearly a disappointment," McConnell added. "It's time to move on."

Voters Overwhelmingly Reject GOP Health Plan

Political Wire:

June 28, 2017

A new Quinnipiac poll finds just 16% of Americans approve of the Republican health care plan to replace Obamacare, while 58% disapprove.

If a lawmaker votes for the Republican plan, 46% of voters are less likely to support their reelection, with 17% more likely and 33% who say the health care vote won’t matter in their decision.

Said pollster Tim Malloy: “Call it a dressed up retread of the last GOP healthcare plan, or simply a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Americans aren’t buying this latest version of the plan to kill Obamacare. And the dismissal comes with the dire warning: If you vote for this one, you may not be around to vote for the next version.”

Pallone & Neal Statement on CBO Report for House GOP Health Care Repeal Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2017


Washington, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA) released the following joint statement today after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report detailing cost and coverage estimates for House Republicans’ health care repeal bill:

“Today’s CBO report now confirms what we already knew: despite promises that ‘everyone would be covered’ and ‘no one would be worse off,’ this Republican bill would rip away health insurance from 24 million Americans over the next decade and ask millions to pay more for less coverage. Despite warnings from independent experts like CBO and others, Republicans continue to recklessly jam this bill through Congress without so much as a single hearing on what effects their plan will have on middle-class families. This report also reaffirms that the Republican plan does absolutely nothing to control costs or protect consumers. Instead, it guts Medicaid, raises costs on older Americans, and pulls billions of dollars from Medicare, all in order to pay for tax cuts for the rich.

“This is a major step backwards for millions of Americans who now enjoy the benefits and protections of quality health insurance gained under the Affordable Care Act. We strongly urge Republicans to back off their politically-motivated march to sabotage our health care system and instead work with Democrats to strengthen it.”

Background

President Donald J. Trump: “Everybody's got to be covered…I am going to take care of everybody. I don't care if it costs me votes or not. Everybody's going to be taken care of much better than they're taken care of now…But we're going to save so much money on the other side. But for the most it's going to be a private plan and people are going to be able to go out and negotiate great plans with lots of different competition with lots of competitors with great companies and they can have their doctors, they can have plans, they can have everything.” [CBS News, September 27, 2015]

President Donald J. Trump: “Save Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security without cuts, have to do it. Get rid of the fraud, get rid of the waste and abuse, but save it.” [June 16, 2015]

House Speaker Paul Ryan: The Republican healthcare plan will leave “no one worse off.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 5, 2016]

House Speaker Paul Ryan: When asked why the Republican plan would “send more money to the people who have gotten the richest”, Ryan responded “I am not concerned about it.”[Fox News, March 9, 2017]

HHS Secretary Tom Price: “Nobody will be worse off financially” under Republican bill. [Meet the Press, March 12, 2017]

OMB Director Mick Mulvaney: “We’re looking at it in a different way, Mark, because insurance is not really the end goal here, is it?” [Morning Joe, March 8, 2017]

Pallone: GOP Repeal Bill is a Disgrace (Video)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2017

"We will expose these policies for what they are – a prescription for disaster.”

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) delivered the following opening remarks today at the full Committee markup of the Republican’s proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The video of his opening statement can be found here:

The Republican repeal bill before us will seriously harm American families. Most people who gained health insurance under the ACA will lose their coverage. Those who retain health insurance will pay a lot more for less coverage. And states will seriously ration care for those who still have Medicaid.

For seven years Republicans claimed to have a better way. But it turns out – that is nothing more than an empty slogan. After seven years of sabotaging and obstructing the ACA, Republicans have finally presented a repeal bill – less than two days ago – that is incredibly destructive to the little guy—for the average working men and women.

I am not a fool. And neither is the American public. Throughout the coming days and weeks – Democrats and advocates alike will band together to bring transparency to this process and we will expose the GOP’s policies for what they are – a prescription for disaster.

Republicans—both the Speaker and our Committee Chairman repeatedly said they would follow regular order. Not one hearing has been held on their repeal bill. And we also have not received analysis from CBO. Regular order would require a hearing and a markup in the Health Subcommittee before we get to the full Committee markup today.

Can Republicans guarantee that the 20 million who have insurance today will continue to have health insurance under their plan? Clearly not. How many more millions of Americans will lose their health insurance as a result of this bill? Who will be covered and what will people pay for needed health care? There’s been no response from the GOP.

Let’s talk about what we do know about the Republican repeal bill.

With devastating cuts and caps on Medicaid, it will ration care for the 76 million Americans who rely on Medicaid, including seniors with long-term care needs, Americans with disabilities, pregnant women and vulnerable children – virtually ending Medicaid as we know it.

Working families could see their premiums and deductibles increase by hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Seniors will pay an age tax and be forced to pay premiums five times higher than what others pay for health insurance—one reason that AARP came out strongly against the GOP repeal bill yesterday.

The bill also shortens the life of the Medicare Trust Fund, putting the care of 57 million American seniors and people with disabilities at risk.

The Republican repeal bill will institute a cancer tax and Americans with pre-existing conditions will suffer. Insurers will once again be able to charge more or discriminate against Americans with pre-existing conditions when their coverage lapses for any reason at all.

The Republican repeal bill is a giant transfer of wealth. Taking from hardworking families and giving to the rich. In fact, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation, the bill would cut taxes for the rich and corporations by about $600 billion. So billionaires will benefit, while Republicans dump huge out-of-pocket costs on working families. Frankly, this is a disgrace.

Americans today have better health coverage and health care thanks to the Affordable Care Act. The American people do not want to see it repealed, and Democrats will fight Republicans’ efforts to dismantle the health and economic security of millions of hard-working Americans.

I yield back.

Pallone on President Trump’s ACA Executive Order

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2017


Washington, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement today after President Trump issued an executive order directing federal agencies to begin dismantling the Affordable Care Act (ACA) “to the maximum extent permitted by law:”

“On a day when President Trump painted a very dark picture of our nation, it’s deeply disturbing that he signed an executive order that will lead to even more economic hardship for middle-class families. This order demonstrates President Trump’s determination to undermine the Affordable Care Act and the health care of millions of Americans in anyway he can. This action only encourages Congressional Republicans to move forward with repealing the Affordable Care Act, which would strip health care away from millions of Americans, and increase costs and limit benefits for millions of others. If President Trump really believes the dark picture he described in his Inaugural Address, he should seriously reconsider any actions that will create chaos in our healthcare system and economic uncertainty.”

Pallone Warns President-Elect Trump Against Dismantling The Affordable Care Act

Washington, DC: Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., went to the House Floor to express his grave concern about President-elect Trump’s plan to undo the Affordable Care Act:

“Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks:

I rise today to raise serious concerns about the President-elect’s plan to dismantle Obamacare.

As a chief architect of the law, I am proud to report that the percentage of Americans uninsured is at a record low, more than 20 million additional Americans have healthcare, and a million additional enrollees are expected next year.

In my home state of New Jersey, the uninsured rate has fallen from 14.9% to less than 10% in just two years. More than half of New Jerseyans enrolled through the Healthcare Marketplace this year had less than $100 per month. More than 400,000 New Jerseyans have benefitted from Medicaid expansion.

The Affordable Care Act is working.

Reports have surfaced that the President-elect’s plan to dismantle Obamacare would eliminate the subsidies that have enabled more than 70 percent of consumers to find plans at less than $75/month. Any effort to eliminate subsidies would lead to unsustainable cost increases and a loss of healthcare coverage for people nationwide.

There is also a threat to undo the Medicaid expansion under which almost 16 million Americans have been insured. With children representing about half of all Medicaid recipients, the elimination of that expansion would be disastrous for the most vulnerable Americans.

Democrats stand ready to work to improve and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, but we will continue to stand resolute against any effort to dismantle it. For the sake of the American people, we can’t get this wrong.”

President Obama's weekly Address 11/5/16: The Progress We've Made Because of the Affordable Care Act

This week, President Obama discussed Open Enrollment on the Health Insurance Marketplace, which began November 1 and will end on January 31. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 20 million American adults have obtained health insurance, and an additional three million children have gained coverage since the President took office. The uninsured rate is the lowest level on record. Today, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, your preventive care is free; there are no more annual or lifetime limits on essential health care; you can’t get charged more just for being a woman; young people can stay on a parent’s plan until they turn 26; seniors get discounts on their prescriptions; and no one can be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. To sign up for health care coverage, visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596.

Remarks of President Barack Obama as Prepared for Delivery Weekly Address

The White House

November 5, 2016

Hi, everybody. Americans have been fighting for the idea that health care is a right and not a privilege since the second-to-last time the Cubs won the World Series. I’m not talking about the 2016 Cubs – I’m talking about the 1908 Cubs.

That’s a really long time. And thanks to the efforts of so many of you, we did it. Today, 20 million more American adults know the financial security of health insurance. On top of that, another three million more kids have coverage than when I took office. In fact, never in American history has the uninsured rate been lower than it is right now – and health care prices have been rising slower than they have in 50 years.

If you haven’t gotten covered yet, now’s the time to do it. It’s open enrollment season. That means you can go to HealthCare.gov and shop for insurance plans in a marketplace where insurers compete for your business. HealthCare.gov is faster and easier to use than ever before. With a few clicks, you can start comparing plans to see which one is right for you and your family. You can even look up your doctor and medications as you shop. Most Americans who get coverage through HealthCare.gov can find an option that costs less than $75 a month. That’s probably less than your cell phone bill.

Now, most of us don’t get our health care through the Marketplace. We get it through our job, or through Medicare or Medicaid. And what you should know is that, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, your coverage is better today than it was before. You now have free preventive care. There are no more annual or lifetime limits on essential health care. Women can get free checkups, and you can’t get charged more just for being a woman. Young people can stay on a parent’s plan until they turn 26. Seniors get discounts on their prescriptions. And no one can be denied coverage just because of a preexisting condition.

That’s because our goal wasn’t just to make sure more people have coverage – it was to make sure more people have better coverage. And as we continue working to make the system better, there’s something you can do to help yourself and help the country. Go to HealthCare.gov. Get covered. And if there’s someone you care about who hasn’t signed up yet, help them get covered today, too.

Enrollment is open right now, but only until January 31. If you sign up by December 15, you’ll be covered by the beginning of the year. So go check out HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596, and someone will personally help you find a plan that’s right for you.

Insurance is based on the idea that we’re all in it together. That’s what makes it work. And it’s the same idea that’s always made America great. Thanks everybody, and have a good weekend.

Uninsured Rate in New Jersey continues to Drop under Affordable Care Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2016


WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention announced that in 2015, the uninsured rate fell to 9.1 percent nationwide and 6.9 percent in New Jersey, down from 14.4 percent and 17.5 percent in 2013. The drop in uninsured Americans is largely the result of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) consumer protections, the Medicaid expansion, and the creation of the Health Insurance Marketplace. Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6), the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and one of the principal authors of the Affordable Care Act, praised the announcement.

“It is clear that millions of Americans have gained access to health insurance since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act and this is a tremendous step for our country. The ACA ushered in a new era, one in which health care coverage is no longer a privilege, but a right for all Americans,” said Pallone. “Millions of Americans who had gone without health insurance—middle class families who had struggled due to inadequate coverage, and women, children and young adults that had been denied coverage due to preexisting conditions—gained the security that comes from being covered.”

“The success of the ACA should deter Republicans from attacking this crucial law. House Republicans have voted dozens of times to repeal or undermine the ACA and take these critical benefits away from millions of Americans, despite the evidence. Enough is enough. The status quo is simply unsustainable. I will continue to fight for the Affordable Care Act to ensure that every American has access to affordable, quality health insurance, and I look forward to the ACA continuing to benefit millions of Americans in the years ahead.”

The CDC report can be found here.

President Obama's Weekly Address 5/14/16: A Conversation About Addiction

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week's address, Grammy Award-winning artist Macklemore joined President Obama to discuss a disease that affects far too many Americans: addiction. Macklemore opened up about his own experience, his life in recovery, and the loss of a friend who overdosed on prescription drugs at a young age – emphasizing that substance use disorder affects people from all walks of life. To underscore the importance of Macklemore's story, the President noted that we can help those suffering in private by making the conversation public, and we should do everything we can to make treatment available to everyone who needs it. The President noted that while the House of Representatives passed several bills on opioids this week, without more funding to expand treatment, these bills will not be enough to provide Americans the help they need. President Obama said there is hope, and that when we treat substance use disorder as the public health problem it is, more people will get the help they need. If you are looking for treatment in your area, call 1-800-662-HELP.

What's Their Alternative?

President Obama's Weekly Address 11/15/14: Open Enrollment Starts Today

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President reminded Americans that Affordable Care Act open enrollment begins this weekend. In the past year more than 10 million people have gained health insurance, including more than seven million who enrolled in Health Insurance Marketplace coverage. They are proof that the Affordable Care Act is working, making health care more affordable, accessible, and of higher quality for millions of people. The President encouraged all Americans to take advantage of open enrollment, and remind their friends and families to do so as well.

Middletown's Congressman, Chris Smith's Extreme Legislation on Rape

by District 4 Coalition for Change

What has Congressman Smith been doing while representing our District in Congress.
He has been redefining rape.

WATCH VIDEO AND SHARE

Chris Smith can lose in 2014 but not without your help.

Obamacare Numbers On Track To Enroll 7 Million At Deadline

Obamacare Sign-Ups on Track to Hit 7 Million on Final Day - Talking Points Memo

Could Chris Christie Republicans be the biggest losers?

And so it begins, the Republicans from the far-right waste no time bashing Christie after his election victory on Tuesday, he he he ...

The Virginia race strips away almost any reason why conservatives should not look toward a third party in 2016, as the national Republicans attempt to foist another "candidate who can win" down their throats.

By Rick Manning - NetRightDaily

National political pundits are busily fluffing up the narrative that the 2013 gubernatorial election has made New Jersey Governor Chris Christie the front runner for the Republican nod for president in 2016, while the narrow loss by conservative Ken Cuccinelli in the Virginia governor's race spells the beginning of the end for the conservative movement.

The Washington Times writes in its coverage of the New Jersey Governor's race that the decision by Democrats to not put up a credible challenge to incumbent Chris Christie, "… helped to clear the path for Mr. Christie to drive up his margin of victory in the governor's race, which political observers and Republican insiders said would send a message that the national party can broaden its appeal and bolster its brand without tacking to the tea party right.

They are wrong for at least three reasons. Two of these are tactical and one is strategic.

New Jersey Governor Christie dramatically increased his own electability during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy when just prior to the 2012 presidential election, he went out of his way to embrace President Obama, earning support within the state, and enmity from Republicans around the country. Few outside of New Jersey will forget the damage Christie's hug did to the Party's chances to defeat Obama.

The result is that the very same event that helped propel Christie's in-state popularity will be disastrous for him outside the state.

On the other hand, the Virginia governor's race was decided by one percent with Democrat Terry McAuliffe receiving well under a majority of the votes after significantly outspending Republican Cuccinelli. Two campaign tricks tipped the scales to McAuliffe and each were worthy of his sleazy reputation.

A major Obama fundraiser/cash bundler was discovered in the last days of the campaign to have been the primary funder of the third party "Libertarian" candidate revealing that he was nothing more than a shill put up by the left to siphon votes from the other economic freedom candidate in the race – Cuccinelli. The third party candidate libertarian poser received more than 6 percent of the total vote.

The second dirty trick engaged in by McAuliffe was a robocall perpetrated by the Virginia Democratic Party to conservative voters alleging that Cuccinelli supported Obamacare. This admission of the unpopularity of Obama's signature achievement was an overt lie, as Cuccinelli was the first Attorney General in the nation to challenge Obamacare in court. The tactic was designed to suppress likely Cuccinelli voters who opposed the law, but were so disgusted by Republican cave-ins in D.C. that they were susceptible to this type of attack.

Thirty years ago, in one of my first political campaigns I was taught a truism that no longer is valid. After I got done complaining about how we were being unfairly treated in the media, my boss answered, "They have the media and we have the money, our job is to spend that money effectively so we can beat their free media advantage."

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Democrat had the media, an approximate two to one spending advantage and the help of a third very important group – the institutional Republicans who continually bad mouthed the conservative candidate and sat on their collective thumbs hoping Cuccinelli would lose so they could declare that only a moderate could win.

The 2.5 percent loss proves that these Republicans who always try to foist "electable" candidates who stand for nothing in primaries would rather deny a conservative victory than have their narrative be proven wrong. If anything the fact that Ken Cuccinelli barely lost after being pilloried in the media without the resources to make his case is an affirmation that conservative principles are winners when people hear them articulated.

Unlike in New Jersey where the Republican moderate dominated his opponent in campaign cash, and the Democrats chose not to run a campaign against him, Cuccinelli was literally starved of funds and support by the Republican chattering class. The Republican National Committee whose sole purpose is to elect Republican candidates failed to produce anywhere near the nine million dollars they pumped into Virginia four years earlier — it was just $3 million this time — in one of the most obvious acts of "friendly fire" campaign sabotage.

Strategically this has major implications for these professional Republican operatives who have already publicly declared war on their Party's political base.

The Virginia race strips away almost any reason why conservatives should not look toward a third party in 2016, as the national Republicans attempt to foist another "candidate who can win" down their throats.

Politically, this puts the Republican ruling class in deep trouble. If someone like former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin were to run as a third party alternative to a Christie-type, it is difficult to find a single state that Christie or someone of his ilk would carry. And it is relatively easy to identify at least twenty states where a third party Palin would likely be favored over both Christie and a Democrat opponent.

Sometimes you can win a battle but lose the war, in the next couple of year's establishment Republicans may just find themselves wishing they had gone all-in for the conservative in Virginia, as Ken Cuccinelli could become the symbol of the one way relationship they expect from their much despised political base.

If given a choice, that base just might figure out that they never actually needed the Republican Party bosses after all. When that happens, the Republican Party will go the way of the Whigs and a new, populist, limited government party will take its place.


Rick Manning (@rmanning957) is the vice president of public policy and communications for Americans for Limited Government.

President Obama's Weekly Address 10/26/13 : Enrolling in the Affordable Care Act Marketplace

WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama discussed the launch of the Health Insurance Marketplace for the Affordable Care Act, which gives millions of Americans the opportunity to have access to affordable and reliable healthcare—many for the first time.

President Obama's Weekly Address 10/5/13: End the Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama said that Republicans in the House of Representatives chose to shut down the government over a health care law they don’t like. He urged the Congress to pass a budget that funds our government, with no partisan strings attached. The President made clear he will work with anyone of either party on ways to grow this economy, create new jobs, and get our fiscal house in order for the long haul – but not under the shadow of these threats to our economy.

Baum: Open the books on insurance; Middletown's health-care strategy must be examined

The following Op-Ed was written by Middletown Democratic Candidate for Township Committee Linda Baum. The Op-Ed addresses the high cost of Middletown's "double-platinum" self-insured health care plan that has an average cost of $31,000 per beneficiary (under a family plan) enrolled.

The Op-Ed appeared in Wednesday's printed edition of the Asbury Park Press and online HERE:


Middletown’s $9.3-million tab for health benefits has drawn attention recently, following a decision by the township to reduce hours for 25 employees who otherwise would have qualified for future health benefits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Linda Baum

My research shows that Middletown’s cost for medical benefits has risen 50 percent in the last decade. Prescription payouts have risen 100 percent during that time. Steady increases long pre-date the ACA, to which officials are pointing as a cause.

Failure to address this issue falls squarely on the shoulders of our local government. Township Committeeman and current Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, a Republican, has been in office since January 2005 and has had ample time to do something about this.

Former Committeeman Sean Byrnes, a Democrat, had proposed forming a task force of medical and insurance professionals to review and make recommendations with respect to the township’s health coverage, but the administration’s Republican majority rejected the idea.

Further, the township will not say who’s enrolled for benefits, another thing that needs review in order to get costs under control.

Knowing the names is not just a matter of weeding out people who should not be covered. We should be able to determine, for example, if retirees are properly categorized as retired vs. actively employed to ensure proper coordination of coverage. The information recently released by the township — minus the names — shows at least one person listed as “active” who is living across the country.

In July, a lawsuit was filed in state Superior Court to obtain the names of those enrolled for health benefits with Middletown Township, which claims that as a self-insured entity it is not required to release the information. Other local governments disagree. Earlier this year, Wall Township and the Wall Board of Education, both self-insured for health benefits, released the names of enrollees. And just recently, Monmouth County, which also is self-insured, did the same.

Middletown officials claim that they save money by self-insuring for health coverage, but it’s not clear how that was determined. A health insurance cost comparison prepared by the township compares Middletown’s cost of medical and pharmacy claims — self insureds pay claims rather than premiums — to the premium for a comparable plan through the State Health Benefits Program.

The comparison is faulty in that township enrollees who have other than single or family coverage — the two middle tiers are “employee and children” and “employee and spouse” — are dumped into the higher-premium family coverage bucket in determining the SHBP premium.

This improper distribution of enrollee counts inflates the estimated SHBP premium.

In addition, the analysis doesn’t reflect that one third of enrollees are retirees, for whom premiums are lower if Medicare is primary. Again, the effect is to inflate the estimated premium for the comparable coverage. The township’s self-insured cost would look better in comparison.

The poor math could easily result in an inaccurate conclusion about which insurance option is less costly for taxpayers.

Also, it is important to recognize that comparison of plans and plan costs should be done separately for medical vs. prescription coverage. The best insurance option for one may not be the best option for the other, so we should shop for these coverages separately. Wall, for example, self insures for medical benefits but has private insurance coverage with Medco for prescription benefits.

Because substantially similar benefits can vary widely in cost, it’s possible to achieve significant savings for taxpayers while still providing excellent benefits to township employees, including the 25 who would have qualified under the ACA.

Certainly, given the magnitude of the expenses we’re talking about, this is an area that deserves thorough review.