Singer Bill Addresses Doctor Shortage in New Jersey
Report says 12 percent gap in physician supply versus demand within 10 years
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Ocean) that establishes a physician loan redemption program for certain specialties was passed by the Senate Education Committee today. The bill is based on a recommendation in a report issued by the New Jersey Council of Teaching Hospitals that said loan forgiveness is one of the top factors that medical residents look for in determining a practice.
“We need to address the impending physician shortage to prevent the risk of people going without any, or with insufficient, care., ” Singer stated. “The nine million New Jersey residents deserve to know that well-trained doctors will be available to serve their health care needs when they need it most.”
Singer Bill Addressing Bed Bugs in Hospitals, Hotels and Other Facilities Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Ocean) that would require healthcare and residential facilities to have a bedbug maintenance plan in place with a licensed exterminator was passed by the Senate today.
“Any facility where people stay overnight should have a plan in place, ready to be carried out at a moments notice should bedbugs be discovered, ” Singer stated. “Senior citizens, hospital patients and tourists throughout New Jersey all have a right to know that the bed they are sleeping in is clean, safe and free of bedbugs.”
Singer Lauds Green Acres Funding for Preservation, Recreation Projects
Senator Robert W. Singer (R- Ocean/Mercer/Burlington/Monmouth) today lauded Governor Christie’s approval of $157 million in funding for local preservation and recreation projects. The funds were appropriated as part of New Jersey’s “Green Acres” program to help municipalities and counties acquire lands for preservation or recreational development.
“Preserving land for public benefit is all the more important when you live in the most densely populated state in America,” said Singer. “Since its inception, Green Acres has been highly successful in helping local government defray the cost of preserving or developing desirable spaces for recreational use. The latest round of funding authorized by law today will help communities in our area maintain the quality of life that residents expect and deserve.”
Singer: Tax Relief for Seniors a Result of Fiscal Discipline by Governor and Republican Legislators
$90 Million Increase for “Senior Freeze” Property Tax Assistance in 2012 Budget
Senator Robert Singer (R-Ocean) issued the following statement today after the Christie administration announced that they have already begun mailing Senior Freeze checks to senior and disabled homeowners. Checks for the Senior Freeze program, which protects senior citizens and disabled residents from increases in property taxes, will average more than $1,200 this year, going directly to recipients who earned $70,000 or less in 2009 and 2010.
“We are in a position to increase direct property tax relief for seniors and disabled residents because of the fiscal discipline shown over the past two years by Governor Christie and my Republican colleagues.
Singer: Democrat Budget is a Step Backwards for New Jersey
Senator Robert Singer (R-Ocean) issued the following statement today following the Senate passage of the Democrat sponsored Fiscal Year 2012 State Budget:
“Governor Christie and my Republican colleagues have been taking aggressive action to correct state spending and straighten out our state’s finances. New Jersey residents cannot afford to support the bloated, oversized government Democrats built over the past eight years with constant tax increases and incessant borrowing.
Singer: “Nazi Comments Reflect Poorly on Opponents of Pension and Benefits Reform”
In response to comments made yesterday by an opponent of legislation reforming the state pension and benefits system for public employees comparing the Governor and Legislative leaders to Nazis, Senator Robert Singer (R- Ocean/Mercer/Burlington/Monmouth) issued the following statement:
“As someone of the Jewish faith who lost family in the Holocaust, I find comments made as part of yesterday’s demonstrations comparing Governor Christie, Senate President Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Oliver to Adolf Hitler and the Nazis deeply offensive. There is simply no excuse, none, for those comparisons to be made in legitimate political discourse. Yesterday’s comments reflected poorly on both the individual making them as well as the organization he represented.”
Singer Bill Protecting Patient Safety Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Ocean) that would require all surgical practices to be licensed by the Department of Health and Senior Services was passed by the Senate Health Committee today. Under current law surgical facilities only have to be registered, not licensed, and have less stringent operating requirements. The licensed centers are inspected every two to three years, have more specific staffing requirements and must report to the state medical errors that result in serious injuries.
“Surgical facilities often provide complicated, yet necessary surgical procedures and should have similar safety standards as ambulatory care facilities, ” Singer stated. “We must take the necessary precautions to prevent putting any patient at unnecessary risk.”
