Dr. J. Richard Goldstein testified before the Assembly Budget Committee on March 24, 2010 in Collingswood, New Jersey and before the Senate Budget Committee on March 25, 2010 in Camden.  The focus of his testimony was on the GME funding, the New Jersey Physician Workforce Report and Resident Exit Survey results, the increase in Charity Care funding contained in the FY 2011 state budget, and improving New Jersey’s Medicaid rates.  

The March 24^th hearing was predominantly dedicated to healthcare issues and those who testified, including Dr. Goldstein and Betsey Ryan, before the Senate Budget Committee, offered the perspective of the healthcare provider community.

Committee members issued statements after listening to testimony in the hearings by many local officials, health care advocates, education advocates, advocates for individuals living with disabilities, and so many others that they heard how the drastic reductions to services the Governor put on the table to balance the budget will impact the people that depend on them.

The budget hearings are just the start of the process.  In the months ahead, the Legislature will work to refine the proposed budget, and hopefully will look for ways to restore cuts to services that affect the state’s most vulnerable citizens.