New Jersey
New Jersey already protects abortion rights. Now Democrats want to cover out-of-pocket costs, too
Dawn Ericksen was struggling with an opioid addiction a dozen years ago when she got pregnant and realized she couldn’t keep herself safe, much less a baby. Working part-time, she couldn’t afford the hundreds of dollars she would need for an abortion and had to turn to a trusted friend to help cover the costs.
Ericksen, a 43-year-old attorney from southern New Jersey who has been sober for 10 years, is now speaking out about her experience because she thinks women’s voices need to be heard.
“I knew it was the right choice for me. But at the same time, that doesn’t mean I want to shout it from the rooftops and tell everybody, hey, I’m in a tough position,” she said. “It wasn’t easy to kind of come hat in hand, so to speak, and say ‘This is something I need help with.’ It’s a very vulnerable place to be.”
Experiences like Ericksen’s are at the center of a renewed effort by New Jersey’s Democratic-led Legislature and governor, Phil Murphy, to bar women from having to pay out-of-pocket costs to get an abortion. New Jersey is among a group of Democratic-led states that are moving to reduce the barriers to abortion, even as many conservative states have been severely restricting a woman’s right to end her pregnancy since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
New Jersey and nine other states require health insurers to cover abortion services, but it is the only state among that group that doesn’t bar out-of-pocket costs, according to KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues. In the governor’s annual address this month, Murphy called for an end to such costs.
The issue, according to proponents of the measure, is that even women with insurance coverage might not reach their deductible, which vary but often exceed $1,000. An abortion’s cost depends on several factors, including whether it’s medication-induced or surgical. A medication abortion typically costs $600-$800, while a surgical procedure could cost up to $2,000, according to Planned Parenthood.
“We don’t want those having to make the decision between paying for groceries or having the care that they need,” said Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, an executive with Planned Parenthood Action of New Jersey, which supports the legislation.
The second-term governor is pushing for the legislation after his party expanded its majority in the Legislature and in a presidential year in which Democrats hope that the abortion issue will buoy their candidates nationwide. It also coincides with a yearslong effort to expand abortion services in the state, as Democratic officials sought to blunt the impact of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe.
New Jersey has already enshrined abortion rights as law, increased funding for abortion services and required regulated health insurance plans to cover the procedure.
“New Jersey will always be a safe haven for reproductive freedom. Period,” Murphy told lawmakers recently. “I am asking you to join me in doing more to protect reproductive rights.”
Despite Democrats having full control of the state government, the bill’s prospects are unknown. The legislative session just began, and lawmakers will soon turn their attention to the state budget. The leaders of both legislative chambers support abortion rights, but it’s unknown how much passing the law would cost, how it would be funded and whether it could cause insurance premiums to rise.
California, for instance, eliminated insurance charges such as co-payments and deductibles in 2022 and the measure was expected to increase insurance premiums.
Teresa Ruiz, the New Jersey Senate’s majority leader, spoke passionately about expanding access to abortion. She also raised a practical point about the measure and said it’s likely to come in the context of a broader budget discussion.
“My daughter, who is 7, has less body autonomy in this country than my mother has had in her lifetime,” Ruiz said.
Legislative Republicans viewed the governor’s proposal skeptically. Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio said his party is focused on “pocketbook issues” that affect all residents, and GOP state Sen. Declan O’Scanlon called it a “red herring” issue because the law protects abortion in the state.
Ericksen, who described her path to sobriety as a slow and laborious journey, said she would ask lawmakers to consider not just the financial costs of ending out-of-pocket fees, but how it could help everyone.
“When we support vulnerable populations, our whole state benefits,” she said.
Listen to this article
The basics:
- Bed Bath & Beyond returning through new store format with The Container Store
- 5 New Jersey locations set for redesign
- Stores will combine home goods, organization products
- Acquisition of The Container Store expected to close in July
Three years after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closing its 360-plus stores, Bed Bath & Beyond is making a retail comeback in New Jersey.
After the formerly Union-based chain’s new parent company announced plans to acquire The Container Store, it is developing a new format that will blend the two banners together.
Starting this month, The Container Store’s 98 locations nationwide will be redesigned to prepare for an integration of Bed Bath & Beyond merchandise.
Known as The Container Store + Bed Bath & Beyond, the format will focus on home goods, organization products and in-home services.
Within New Jersey, the model is coming to:
- Bound Brook – 335 Chimney Rock Road
- Cherry Hill – 2000 Route 38
- Livingston – 372 W. Mount Pleasant Ave.
- Paramus – 370 Route 17 N.
- Princeton – 3506 Brunswick Ave.
Ahead of the overhaul, The Container Store liquidated about 30% of existing inventory in a bid to “streamline assortments, improve space productivity and create room for new products expected to arrive in phases later this year.”
Making room
The Container Store Senior Vice President of Stores Jen Pape described the changes as “a reset with purpose.”
“We are actively reshaping our stores to make room for what’s next. By streamlining select categories today, we’re creating the space and flexibility needed to introduce Bed Bath & Beyond products and deliver a more complete home experience for our customers,” she said.
The move follows Bed Bath & Beyond’s announcement in April that it will acquire The Container Store for about $150 million in stock and convertible notes. The transaction is scheduled to close in July.
The Container Store filed for bankruptcy in December 2024 amid increasing competition from big box retailers and a rough housing market that reduced demand for home goods. The chain emerged from Chapter 11 with its store fleet largely intact.
Bed Bath & Beyond reborn
After winning Bed Bath & Beyond’s IP auction in June 2023 for $21.5 million, Overstock.com relaunched it two months later with a refreshed website and mobile app where shoppers can purchase home décor, furniture, bedding and kitchenware. Overstock.com renamed itself Beyond Inc. before rebranding as Bed Bath & Beyond.
Retail strategy
Find out why the new owner of Harmon, another former Bed Bath & Beyond brand, closed its Bridgewater store here.
The Dallas-headquartered company’s portfolio also includes Overstock.com and Kirkland’s. Last year, it purchased Bed Bath & Beyond’s former baby-focused banner Buybuy Baby for $5 million, too.
The purchase followed Somerset-based baby care brand Dream on Me’s attempt to revive Buybuy Baby. In addition to spending $15.5 million to acquire the chain’s trademark, domain, mobile platform and business data, Dream on Me shelled out $1.17 million to take over 11 brick-and-mortar locations on the East Coast.
Less than a year later, Buybuy Baby closed its fleet of stores in October 2024 and became a “digital-first brand.”
New Jersey
Violent teens clash with cops at NJ carnival — prompting officials to cancel beloved yearly event
Unruly teens violently overwhelmed a New Jersey community carnival, sparking several fights and cursing out police officers, forcing organizers to prematurely shutter the beloved annual event.
A large gathering of “unsupervised juveniles” descended onto the Maple Shade Tigers Youth Football Carnival at JFK Memorial Field in Maple Shade, NJ, on May 1, inundating the yearly gathering to fundraise for the youth sport organization, according to township officials.
“Officers on scene, along with event organizers, directed those involved and other unruly individuals to leave the carnival grounds in an attempt to restore order and maintain public safety,” Maple Shade officials said.
“As a result of the incident, the carnival was closed for the remainder of the evening.”
The delinquents weren’t ousted without a fight, causing problems with officials at the carnival about 15 miles east of Philadelphia.
“They were cursing at police officers. They were clearly trying to provoke physical confrontations with cops,” Maple Shade Police Department Lt. Daniel O’Brien told 6 ABC Philadelphia.
Police say several teens were charged but didn’t reveal the alleged crimes, according to the outlet.
One witness described the mass exodus as a “herd of kids” being escorted by cops, according to the outlet.
Large swarms of teens were seen on video posted online getting into fights and sprinting down the streets of the neighborhood.
One clip captured police officers chasing some of the hooligans as night fell on the Burlington County enclave.
Rumors began to spread online about weapons being brought into the carnival, but Maple Shade Police could not verify the reports, and no weapons were recovered from the scene.
Because of the Friday night mayhem, the second night of the carnival was also canceled.
“We recognize that this decision is not made lightly. The Maple Shade Tigers Youth Football Carnival is a valued tradition that supports a dedicated youth sports organization and brings the community together each year,” town officials said.
“From the outset of this event, Township officials, the Maple Shade Police Department, and the Maple Shade Youth Football organization have worked in close coordination with a shared commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all attendees,” officials said.
“Despite these proactive efforts, the circumstances that developed this evening required immediate action.
Officials estimate that the youth football organization lost thousands of dollars after the cancellations.
“It’s a non-profit, everything that we have always goes back into the program. New equipment, uniforms, helmets,” Thomas Oshinsky told 6 ABC Philadelphia.
Following the chaos in Maple Shade, officials beefed up security measures for the upcoming St. Mary of the Lakes Carnival and Music Festival in neighboring Medford.
Fences will enclose the event, and there will only be two entrances, officials said in a statement on Facebook.
“Face coverings are strictly prohibited, hoodies cannot be worn over your head, wand screening will be conducted, and all bags will be subjected to search,” the advisory warned.
Guests over 18 will be allowed into the park free of charge, with minors taller than 60 inches needing to buy a ticket.
“Carnivals are meant to be fun, family-friendly, fundraising activities held within communities,” officials said. “In Maple Shade, we saw yet again, what happens when groups of teens come to a carnival with intentions other than riding rides, eating funnel cake or playing games.
“We are hoping the measures above will prevent anything unwanted,” the statement added.
Medford officials blasted the uptick in teenage chaos as the community events that have plagued local carnivals in the South Jersey area over the past several years.
New Jersey … Long Island … what’s the difference?
Bruce Springsteen, stage-bantering during his Tuesday night concert at UBS Arena in Elmont, told the audience he seen little difference between the two bedroom communities of New York City.
And he paid tribute to Billy Joel.
“You see, Long Island and New Jersey — they’re the same thing. We were just separated at birth. That was what happened,” he said to cheers while performing “Wrecking Ball.” “We’re all my fellow bridge and tunnel people.”
Then, maneuvering his guitar, he added: “If you shake up New Jersey like this it becomes Long Island.”
The banter was prompted by the song lyrics, “I was raised outta steel / Here in the swamps of Jersey.”
Springsteen’s tribute to Long Island drew laughter, cheers and nods of agreement. His lyrics referencing the New York Giants and The Meadowlands Sports Complex also received warm and enthusiastic reactions from the audience.
As if all that weren’t enough, Springsteen also gave a shoutout to the Piano Man, who has boosted his presence in Florida and isn’t much in a “New York State of Mind” after listing his Gold Coast mansion, movin’ out and becoming a Florida resident.
“Let Billy hear ya in Florida!” Springsteen said during “Hungry Heart.”
Springsteen, of Freehold, New Jersey, has shouted out Long Island — and Hicksville’s Joel — before.
In 2009, at a 25th anniversary concert for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden, Springsteen asked the audience: “Are you ready for the bridge-and-tunnel summit meeting right here, right now? Because Long Island is about to meet New Jersey on the neutral ground of New York City!”
Then, Joel emerged. The two performed together.
Newsday’s Rachel Weiss contributed to this story.
-
Business3 minutes agoHow Energy Prices Are Driving Demand for Solar Panels and Heat Pumps
-
Science9 minutes agoWhat My Father’s Experience Taught Me About Memory and the Brain
-
Health15 minutes agoAmerican Factories Lag in Adopting A.I. This Drugmaker Is an Exception.
-
Lifestyle33 minutes agoUnmistakable Love of Austin, the Texas Longhorns and Each Other
-
Education39 minutes agoArt Abounds on Campuses Outside of New York City
-
Technology45 minutes agoCanvas is down as ShinyHunters threatens to leak schools’ data
-
World51 minutes agoIranian dissidents seize on Trump remarks about armed resistance, fueling revival of Reagan doctrine
-
Politics57 minutes agoTrump praises Susie Wiles’ cancer fight in surprise gala video: ‘Winning it decisively’