Johnson Decries Christie Plan to Slash Healthcare Coverage for the Poorest of the Poor

(Trenton) - Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen) released the following statement Tuesday after the Assembly Budget Committee heard testimony on Gov. Chris Christie's plan to cut health care for the state's poorest residents:

"No one but this anti-working class governor would propose making it difficult for the poorest of the poor to obtain health care coverage. That's simply inhumane and fiscally irresponsible because it will accomplish but one thing - residents with more expensive health problems seeking treatment at more expensive emergency rooms.

"Taxpayers, in the long run, will certainly save no money with this proposal, and poor residents, especially women who rely heavily on Medicaid, will be hit hard.

"If the governor thinks Medicaid is inefficient and needs improvements, that's fine, but he needs a plan that actually accomplishes that goal without increasing the cost to taxpayers and decimating health care for our most needy residents."