- Minority children in N.J. likeliest to be poor, unhealthy, struggle in school, report says, By Susan K. Livio, April 20, 2015, Star-Ledger: “Black and Latino children in New Jersey are far more likely to live in poverty, struggle in school, and get caught up in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems than white and Asian children, according to the latest annual Kids Count report. The report, released by Advocates for Children of New Jersey for the first time focused on the impact race has on family health and stability. With nearly half the population of children in the state being black, Latino, Asian or a mix of races, the group hopes this focus will urge lawmakers and policy makers to pay attention to the needs of minority families, said Cecilia Zalkind, the executive director…”
- N.J.’s poorest children in Atlantic, Cumberland counties, report says, By Diane D’Amico, April 20, 2015, Press of Atlantic City: “Cumberland and Atlantic counties remain at the bottom of the state for child well-being according to the 2015 New Jersey Kids Count report released Monday, ranking 21st and 20th among the state’s 21 counties. Atlantic County had a 60 percent increase in the number of children living in poverty between 2009 and 2013, among the largest increases in the state…”
Tag: New Jersey
States and Medicaid Coverage
- Under Obamacare, Medicaid now covers one-fifth of N.J. residents, By Kathleen O’Brien, April 14, 2015, Star-Ledger: “Medicaid, the public health insurance program expanded under the Affordable Care Act, now covers nearly one out of every five New Jersey residents, according to the latest enrollment figures. More than 420,000 people signed up for insurance since New Jersey allowed more people to into the program, according to Valerie Harr, director of the division of medical assistance and health services for the N.J. Department of Human Services…”
- Some states pay doctors more to treat Medicaid patients, By Michael Ollove, April 17, 2015, Stateline: “Fifteen states are betting they can convince more doctors to accept the growing number of patients covered by Medicaid with a simple incentive: more money. The Affordable Care Act gave states federal dollars to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates for primary care services—but only temporarily. The federal spigot ran dry on Jan. 1. Fearing that lowering the rates would exacerbate the shortage of primary care doctors willing to accept patients on Medicaid, the 15 states are dipping into their own coffers to continue to pay the doctors more. It seems to be working…”
Long-Term Unemployment – New Jersey
Forever unemployed: Why N.J.’s long-term jobless rate remains among highest in U.S., By Erin O’Neill, April 5, 2015, Star-Ledger: “Alain Chahine lost his job two years ago. Since then, he said, he has completed more than 600 applications and sent 200 messages to his network looking for leads. Those efforts produced 18 interviews in 2013, 35 more in 2014 and 12 so far this year, Chahine said. But the number of full-time job offers to date? Zero. ‘There’s nothing funny about the job search process,’ said the 57-year-old northern New Jersey resident. ‘You’re at the mercy of the process itself and that’s the frustrating part.’ Federal jobs reports point to a rebounding labor market, though the unemployment rate remained at 5.5 percent in March. But the percentage of jobless residents out of work 27 weeks or more remains historically high…”