NJPCAC Winter 2014 Newsletter
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New Jersey Patient Care & Access Coalition Winter 2014 PRESIDENT’S LETTER by referring urologists in Sico, who shepherded the bill lithotripsy-only entities like through the process; Mary Beth NJPCAC member The Stone Guilbert and Kelly Snyder from Center of New Jersey. A 2009 The Stone Center, who took amendment to the Codey Act time from their busy day to barred such new ownership, but travel to Trenton and explain was inconsistent in that it the issue to Governor Codey permitted new ownership in and Senator Joe Vitale, the Ambulatory Surgical Centers Chairman of the Senate Health providing lithotripsy. Early last Committee; and all of our year, we made a decision to try NJPCAC members who Dr. David Taylor and change the law to make it reached out to legislators to ask President & Chairman consistent. for their support for the measure. Dear NJPCAC Member: The yearlong process from decision to final enactment went I, of course, am also grateful to I have heard the expression that so smoothly that it reminded me Governor Codey, Senator “watching our laws being made of anything other than sausage Vitale and Assembly Health is a lot like watching sausage making. Committee Chairman Dr. Herb being made.” Conaway, who sponsored the When we explained the inherent bill in the Assembly, for all of Well, having been an eyewitness unfairness of the 2009 their help and support. to a change in the law we have amendments to Legislators they long sought, I have to disagree. both understood and were Sincerely, In fact, it was more like sitting anxious to help. Even the author down to a gourmet meal. of The Codey Act himself - Governor (Senator) Richard As you will read elsewhere in Codey. Dr. David Taylor our Winter Newsletter, Governor President & Chairman Chris Christie earlier this month I want to personally thank our signed into law legislation counsel, Howard Rubin, who amending New Jersey’s “Codey assisted in drafting the Act” to allow for new ownership legislation; our lobbyist, Donald The New Jersey Patient Care and Access Coalition (NJPCAC) promotes and represents the common interests of urological care physicians in the State of New Jersey who are dedicated to the highest standards of practice and focuses on addressing the challenges that confront our healthcare system. NJPCAC’s membership includes nearly 200 practicing urologists and scores of additional healthcare professionals, including radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurses and administrative staff, who have come together to educate policy makers, regulators, insurers and other key stakeholders, including patients and peers about regulatory changes that will adversely affect the quality and accessibility to care provided to patients in New Jersey and those that will advance care in New Jersey. NJPCAC promotes and pursues educational, legislative and regulatory interests that are common to these urological care physicians and the advancement of patient care and access in the State of New Jersey. Winter 2014 – Page 2 Lithotripsy Bill June 10, 2013: Identical legislation - A4222 - introduced in the Assembly by Becomes Law Assemblyman Herb Conaway November 18, 2013: A4222 reported from On Monday January 13th Governor Chris Assembly Health and Senior Services Christie signed into law S2779/A4222 Committee by a vote of 9-0. Committee (Vitale/Codey/Conaway/Benson/Munoz/Handl members Daniel Benson, Nancy Munoz and in) - “Allows practitioner with financial Amy Handlin added as sponsors. interest in health care service providing lithotripsy to refer patients to that health care December 19, 2013: S2779 passed by the service if certain conditions are met.” The Senate by a vote of 37-0. Chapter Law number is P.L. 2013, c.178 and it is effective immediately. December 19, 2013: S2779 received in the Assembly and merged with A4222 and then This is a tremendous victory for our Coalition passed by the Assembly by a vote of 79-0. and further evidence of the effectiveness of our Bill is sent to the Governor for his team and our strategy. We were extraordinarily consideration. successful at every level throughout the yearlong process to change the law. The January 13, 2014: S2779/A4222 signed into legislation received unanimous votes in both law by Governor Chris Christie. the Senate and Assembly Health Committees and before the full Senate and Assembly as well. Governor Christie signed the bill less than a month after its final passage by the Assembly on December 19th. This was truly a team effort by NJPCAC. Everyone who took the time to come to Trenton to attend meetings and testify before the committees as well as those who attended meetings with and called Legislators made a big difference. The law took effect immediately upon Dr. Taylor testifies before the Assembly Health Governor Christie signing it. Committee with NJPCAC Lobbyist Donald Sico Here is a Timeline of the Bill: May 20, 2013: S2779 introduced in the Senate by Senators Joe Vitale and Richard Codey June 3, 2013: S2779 reported from the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee by a vote of 10-0 Winter 2014 – Page 3 Meet the New Legislators NANCY PINKIN BRINGS HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE TO ASSEMBLY BARNES ASSUMES ROLE AS NEW 18TH East Brunswick Councilwoman DISTRICT SENATOR Nancy Pinkin was sworn in as Senator Peter J. Barnes III the newest member of the 18th was sworn into the New Legislative District in the New Jersey State Senate on Jersey General Assembly on January 14th after seven January 14th. years in the General "I am thankful to the voters who Assembly. He will continue placed their confidence in me. to represent the people of Serving in elected office is a privilege and the 18th Legislative district. responsibility I hold in the highest regard," said "I am honored that my constituents have asked Pinkin (D-Middlesex). "As the newest 18th me to continue to represent them in Trenton, district representative, I look forward to working now as their elected State Senator," said Senator with my fellow colleagues in the Assembly and Barnes. "I am looking forward to starting this tapping into my experience in health care and new chapter in the Senate.” prudent fiscal management.” The 18th Legislative District consists of the Pinkin runs her own healthcare and association Middlesex County communities of East management consulting firm, Pinkin Associates, Brunswick, Edison, Helmetta, Highland Park, Inc., and has an extensive background in Metuchen, South Plainfield and South River in healthcare administration, with an expertise in Middlesex County. ambulatory care and medical practice management. She is also the Executive Director BORN: April 26, 1956 of the Middlesex and Mercer County Medical EDUCATION: B.A. Gettysburg College Societies. (Political Science); M.B.A. Fairleigh Dickinson University (Management); J.D. Widener Assemblywoman Pinkin is a member of University School of Law numerous professional organizations including OCCUPATION: Attorney, Law Offices of Peter the American College of Healthcare Executives. Barnes The 18th district covers East Brunswick, Edison, PUBLIC/PARTY SERVICE: Twp of Edison Helmetta, Highland Park, Metuchen, South Municipal Council 1996-2007, Planning Board Plainfield and South River. 2001-03 BORN: August 4 LEGISLATIVE SERVICE: Senate 2014- EDUCATION: A.A.S. Middlesex County present; General Assembly 2007-13, Majority College (Applied Science); B.S. Rutgers Whip 2010-13 University; M.P.A. New York University COMMITTEES: Economic Growth, Vice-Chair; (Public/Health Administration); University of Budget and Appropriations; State Government, Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (Health Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Policy and Research) PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat Winter 2014 – Page 4 (Asw. Pinkin, Continued from Page 3) JOSEPH LAGANA SWORN IN TO OCCUPATION: Health Consultant & Association REPRESENT 38TH DISTRICT Management, Pinkin Associates, Inc. PUBLIC/PARTY SERVICE: East Brunswick Assemblyman Joseph Township Council 2005-present, President 2006- Lagana received the oath of 08; East Brunswick Planning Board 2005, 08-09 office from Assembly LEGISLATIVE SERVICE: General Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto on 2014-present January 14th to become one PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat of the newest members of the General Assembly, NORTHFIELD MAYOR VINCE MAZZEO representing the 38th JOINS ASSEMBLY FROM 2ND DISTRICT legislative district. Northfield City Mayor Vince "It is truly an honor to be able to serve the Mazzeo has been sworn in as residents of the 38th legislative district in the the newest representative of General Assembly," said Lagana (D-Bergen, the 2nd Legislative District in Passaic). "My experience at the local level the New Jersey General helped me gain first-hand knowledge of the Assembly on January 14th. struggles facing everyday families in our state such as affordability, unemployment, and "I am grateful to the voters property taxes, just to name a few.” who entrusted me with the opportunity to serve them in The 38th District includes the towns of the legislature," said Mazzeo (D-Atlantic). "As Bergenfield, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Hasbrouck Mayor of Northfield, I have worked tirelessly to Heights, Hawthorne, Lodi, Maywood, New give residents a transparent and open Milford, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge, Rochelle government that strives to preserve our quality of Park, Saddle Brook. life and save taxpayers money.” BORN: December 15, 1978 Mazzeo was elected to the Northfield City EDUCATION: B.A. Fordham University Council in 2003, and subsequently as mayor in (History); J.D. Thomas M. Cooley Law School 2007. Mazzeo has been a part of his family's OCCUPATION: Attorney, Chasan, Leyner & fruit and produce business, B.F. Mazzeo, for Lamparello, P.C. nearly 30 years. PUBLIC/PARTY SERVICE: Borough of The 2nd district includes Absecon, Atlantic City, Paramus Council President 2012-2013 Brigantine, Buena, Buena Vista, Egg Harbor LEGISLATIVE SERVICE: General Assembly City, Egg Harbor Township, Folsom, Hamilton 2014-present (Atlantic), Linwood, Longport, Margate City, PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat Mullica, Northfield, Pleasantville, Somers Point and Ventnor City. Additional biographical information on Asm.