Guadagno: Budget time is not the time to be talking about Horizon’s profits
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno says any major changes to the state's health care system should involve more stakeholder discussions. Guadagno, the GOP candidate for governor, any change should not be part of budget negotiations. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, Pool, File)
The Republican nominee for governor of New Jersey seems to want to put the brakes on an effort to overhaul the state’s largest health insurer that has gotten wrapped into budget negotiations.
Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno posted a statement Tuesday on Twitter that said any major changes to the state’s health care system should involve more stakeholder discussions. She also said “last minute” budget talks are not the time to consider changes.
Her statement comes as the Democrat-led Assembly and Senate are set to vote Thursday on a nearly $35 billion budget.
The leaders of each chamber disagree over whether to enact legislation affecting Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The legislation is the center of budget talks after Republican Gov. Chris Christie called for changes to the company, initially in order to use its surplus to treat opioid addiction.
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