Advocates: New Jersey Medicaid Expansion Leaves Unmet Needs

In what he called an “era of fiscal restraint,” Gov. Chris Christie wants to increase state spending for New Jersey’s expanded Medicaid program by $254 million next year.The governor’s proposed Medicaid spending includes an additional $100 million to place people with developmental disabilities or mental health issues in less restrictive community settings, and a $125 million increase for assistive services to keep older adults out of nursing homes.The governor also is urging the state’s medical research institutions to find new ways to improve health care delivery and control rising expenses.