New Jersey

New Jersey already protects abortion rights. Now Democrats want to cover out-of-pocket costs, too

Published

5 months ago

January 26, 2024

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.

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New Jersey

Crews battling wildfire in New Jersey’s Wharton State Forest

Published

6 mins ago

July 5, 2024

Press Room

Crews battling wildfire in New Jersey’s Wharton State Forest

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PHILADELPHIA – Crews in Burlington County, New Jersey are battling a wildfire in Wharton State Forest.

Officials say the fire is burning in Tabernacle Township near the Batona Campground and Apple Pie Hill.

The campground has since been evacuated and the Batona Trail was closed between Route 532 and Carranza Road. Local Wharton State Forest roads are also closed in the area.

Officials say the fire is impacting about 100 acres and is 0% contained. Two structures are also threatened as a result of the fire.

The public is asked to avoid the area while crews work to contain the fire.

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New Jersey

Ryan of First Bank installed as chair of New Jersey Bankers Association | ROI-NJ

Published

6 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Press Room

Ryan of First Bank installed as chair of New Jersey Bankers Association | ROI-NJ

The New Jersey Bankers Association recently installed a new slate of officers for its 2024-2025 fiscal year, including Patrick Ryan of First Bank as chair, Craig Montanaro of Kearny Bank as first vice chair and Elizabeth Magennis of ConnectOne Bank as second vice chair.

Ryan said he is eager for the opportunity.

“I’m very excited for the coming year as chair of the New Jersey Bankers Association,” he said. “This is an exciting and challenging time in our industry.

“NJBankers is in a great position to help member banks navigate these turbulent waters. And, more importantly, the association can help drive meaningful change as we move forward. We have an amazing team of leaders at the association. I’m proud to have this opportunity to do my small part to help the industry grow and prosper in the next year and beyond.”

Ryan is the founder, director, CEO and president of First Bank, and is responsible for the strategic direction and overall performance of the company. Since the bank’s inception in 2008, it has grown to 26 locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida, with $3.59 billion in assets and 288 employees.

First Bank has been named one of S&P Global Market Intelligence’s Top 100 Best-Performing Community Banks in the nation for record growth and profitability.

Montanaro is the CEO of Kearny Bank. He was appointed to serve on the board of directors of Kearny Financial Corp. and the board of directors of Kearny Bank in 2010. He joined Kearny Bank in 2003 when Kearny acquired West Essex Bank, where he served as chief operating officer. He was appointed CEO of Kearny Financial and Kearny Bank in April 2011.

Magennis is the president of ConnectOne Bank, the bank subsidiary of ConnectOne Bancorp Inc. ConnectOne is a leading commercial bank, with over $9 billion in assets, serving the New Jersey, New York and South Florida markets.

Magennis holds over 30 years of experience in the banking industry. As president of ConnectOne, she is responsible for the growth, function and strategic direction of the bank. She joined ConnectOne Bank in 2006 and has played an integral role in growing the company to a top-performing bank with industry-leading metrics.

Steven Klein, chair and CEO of Northfield Bank, will serve as immediate former chair.

In addition, new members serving on the NJBankers board of directors for the 2024-2025 year include:

John Borelli, Jr.: CEO, Newfield National Bank;
Matthew Carcich: CEO, Freedom Bank;
John DeSclafani: senior vice president/commercial banking leader, Wells Fargo Bank;
Edward Dietzler: CEO, Bank of Princeton;
Catherine Franzoni: Chief operating officer, Manasquan Bank;
Donald Mindiak: CEO, First Commerce Bank;
Michael Shriner: CEO, BCB Bank.

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New Jersey

New American citizens celebrate 4th of July on USS New Jersey, America’s most decorated battleship

Published

13 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Press Room

New American citizens celebrate 4th of July on USS New Jersey, America’s most decorated battleship

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) — As the nation celebrates its 248th birthday, dozens of new U.S. citizens celebrated their own milestone Thursday.

“I see freedom,” said Jonathan A. Monger as he looked up at the American flag waving on the pier near the USS Battleship New Jersey. “I see this nation being a great nation and the land of opportunities.”

Monger is one of 42 men and women who took their oath of American citizenship in a special ceremony aboard the Battleship New Jersey, including nine U.S. military service members.

“It’s a journey that I’ve come through and I anticipate to go further and I appreciate this because it falls on Independence Day,” Monger said. “That makes it historic and it’s a great day in my life.”

The citizenship candidates were all lawful permanent residents and have met the requirements to naturalize, including passing a history and civics exam unless exempt.

More than 878,500 new citizens were naturalized in fiscal year 2023 during ceremonies nationwide.

“All of us know every immigrant has a special story or incredible story to tell how our journey started and we believe in the process of this immigration and it’s a dream come true for us,” said Armand Arana, who immigrated to the northeast in 2006. “It’s freedom, opportunity and greatness.”

The citizenship candidates originate 21 countries: Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Jordan, Liberia, Mexico, Montenegro, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Venezuela.

Josh Sanders

Josh Sanders is a journalist shaped by life-changing events. He joined the CBS News Philadelphia family in August 2023 as a reporter and multi-skilled journalist.

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