WHEREAS, the
health of New Jersey women is at risk for conditions that could
be detected by routine preventive care services; and
WHEREAS, the
cost of these services is a major barrier to adequate care; and
WHEREAS, a
large percentage of women have never had any of the basic preventive
health care services, including Pap smears, clinical breast examinations,
or complete physical examinations, which if undertaken would promote
their long-term health; and
WHEREAS, poor,
less educated, and minority women are more likely to be uninsured
and, thus, not receive necessary medical care; and
WHEREAS, the
level of collaboration between New Jersey health care providers,
community and corporate leaders, and consumers, as evidenced by
the first New Jersey Women's Health Summit held on September 10,
1993, attests to the degree of concern that exists for women's health
issues in New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, as
we enter an era of health care reform at the State and federal level,
public and private efforts that assure universal health insurance
coverage for comprehensive benefits, including preventive services,
are essential to removing financial barriers to quality health care
for all women;
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, JAMES J. FLORIO, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue
of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes
of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. There
is hereby established a Governor's Commission on Women's Health.
2. The Commission
shall, within 12 months from the date of this Executive Order:
a. review
and assess the system of delivery of health care services to
women in New Jersey, and the costs of these services, in order
to identify the needs of women and recommend ways to reduce
costs and improve the quality and efficiency of these services;
b. prepare
and submit a report to the Governor on the status of health
care services for women in New Jersey, and make recommendations
for policies and programs that will enhance the health and well-being
of New Jersey's women, including recommended legislation or
regulations.
3. The Commission
shall consist of no more than 22 members appointed by the Governor.
The Commission shall include the Commissioners of the following
State departments: Community Affairs, Education, Health, Human
Services, Insurance, Labor, and Law and Public Safety, or their
designees. The remaining members shall be appointed by the Governor
and shall include representatives of the medical, nursing, legal,
education, social services and health care service agency communities.
4. The Commission
members will serve without remuneration. 5. The Commissioner of
Health will convene the Commission and the Department of Health
shall provide the Commission with staff assistance.
6. The Governor
shall designate the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Commission
from among the members of the Commission.
7. The Commission
shall further organize itself and set its own schedule for meetings
as it deems necessary to complete its work.
8. This
Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN,
under my hand and seal this
20th day of October in the Year of Our
Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and
Ninety Three, and of the Independence
of the United States, the Two Hundred
and Eighteenth.
/s/
James Florio
Governor
Attest:
/s/ Scott
A. Weiner
Chief Counsel to the Governor
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