NJ budget proposal maintains support to hospitals

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey hospitals would share $675 million in charity care funds under the state budget recently proposed by Gov. Chris Christie, roughly the same amount that was allocated during the current fiscal year.

The spending plan also includes a $10 million increase in funding for graduate medical education, bringing the total to $100 million.

State Health Commissioner Mary O’Dowd outlined the specifics during a news conference on Friday. She noted that the hospital funding proposed for the coming fiscal year was not reduced despite a $32 million decrease in charity care expenses in 2011 — the year the department used to create its formula.

Charity care funds are used to offset the cost of treating the working poor and uninsured residents.