Month: December 2011

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N.J. takes slow, steady approach to for-profit hospitals 
December 27, 2011
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By Rowland, Dean
Proquest LLC

For-profit hospitals first appeared on the health care scene in New Jersey in 1998, when a private health services group in Colorado took over management of Bergen Pines County Hospital, in Paramus. But it took four years before another one appeared, when Memorial Hospital, in Salem, changed ownership.

But since then, it’s become more routine, if no less controversial. Four other nonprofit hospitals have turned for-profit since 2002, and two more are pending.

“It took a while for the New Jersey market to stabilize and find its legs,” said Kerry McKean Kelly, spokeswoman for the New Jersey Hospital Association. “Clearly, for many years, New Jersey wasn’t attractive.”

The “maturing” of the health care market in the state began in 1993, when hospitals were forced to negotiate their own reimbursement rates for medical services with private insurers, Kelly said. Financial uncertainty gripped the competitive market, and it took many years for the anxiety to calm. Though hospitals across the country were converting from nonprofit to for-profit ownership in small and slowly growing numbers, private equity and management companies were sitting on the sidelines when it came to setting up shop in New Jersey.

https://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=319736

>New bullying law stirs up complaints from Educators
Marlboro K-8 school board adds voice to growing discontent with legislation
BY JACK MURTHA Staff Writer

Finding inspiration in the actions of two other school districts, members of the Marlboro K-8 School District Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution taking issue with provisions required by New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act.

The board took the action at its meeting on Dec. 19.

Through the resolution, the Marlboro board members announced their support for the Allamuchy School District (Warren County) Board of Education’s attempt to nullify the new law by claiming it is an unfunded mandate handed down by the state Legislature to New Jersey’s school districts.

The Legislature has not provided any financial support for costs that may be associated with complying with the law, according to school district officials.

“We don’t disagree with the fact that we need to aggressively deal with harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) and we will continue to do that,” Marlboro Superintendent of Schools David Abbott said. “(The Legislature) passed a law without providing the proper support that we will need to deal with all of the requirements.”

Financial pressures related to the need for anti-bullying positions to be created placed the school district in a difficult spot, Abbott said. He said the law called for the board to designate one district anti-bullying coordinator, plus an anti-bullying specialist in each school.

The board’s resolution said the district must pay members of school safety teams, including anti-bullying specialists, coordinators and appointed teachers, annual stipends that will not be covered by the state. Additional services will require an unknown amount of funding, according to the resolution.

https://nt.gmnews.com/news/2011-12-28/Front_Page/New_bullying_law_stirs_up_complaints.html

>Grab your wallet! Huge Toll increase to take effect January 1st 
Steve Lonegan AFP


(RIDGEWOOD-NJ) On January 1, 2012 tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway will increase a whopping 50%!

According to the Star-Ledger, “…the average passenger vehicle toll will rise from $2.20 to $3.30 on the Turnpike and 70 cents to $1.05 on the Parkway. The average truck toll will increase from $7.95 to $12.15 on the Turnpike and $1.40 to $2.15 on the Parkway.”

This drastic increase in tolls comes on the back of the whopping toll increase imposed by the Port Authority for tri-state bridges and tunnels . The toll hike is a new tax created by former Governor Jon Corzine on the way out the door. Trenton’s elite argued this was to fund the ARC Tunnel into New York City. But the ARC Tunnel is not being built. Governor Christie rightfully stopped this multi-billion dollar boondoggle.But the toll hike is still taking effect!