New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed legislation on Thursday that would have created a statewide health care exchange, as allowed under President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act.
In a message accompanying the expected veto, the Republican governor said he had concerns about a pending US Supreme Court Case against the federal health care law and how its decision would impact funding for New Jersey.
“Because it is not known whether the Affordable Care Act will remain, in whole or in part, it would be imprudent for New Jersey to create an exchange at this moment in time,” Christie said in a statement.
The governor said he was concerned about creating a new “Medicaid-like program” for individuals above the poverty level without assurances of federal funding. He also expressed doubts about New Jersey’s process of certifying participants in the plan, as they could limit the pool of insurance providers and increase costs.
The New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Act passed both houses of the Legislature on March 15.
Democrats in New Jersey immediately criticized the veto.
“The governor has sent a clear message to the 1.3 million uninsured New Jerseyeans and the many others who are underinsured and struggle to afford their existing insurance. He doesn’t care,” said Assemblyman Herb Conaway, the bill’s lead sponsor.
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