Healthcare in New Jersey
Welcome to CSI-NJ’s health care portal, where we will share facts about New Jersey’s population and state of health care, and the work of our scholars on ways to improve lives through free-market policies.
New Jersey has one of the most unique populations in the United States. We are the nation’s 11th-most populous state, and our population density is higher than all other states. As a whole, New Jersey is wealthier, more diverse and slightly younger than the national population.
New Jersey At A Glance
| Category | Total | U.S. Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 8,591,200 | 11 |
| Population in Poverty | 1,244,000 | 14 |
| Percentage 65+ | 13% | 21 |
| Median Annual Income | $64,143 | 4 |
| Diversity | ||
| White | 59% | 41 |
| Black | 13% | 17 |
| Hispanic | 19% | 7 |
| Other | 9% | 10 |
| Percentage in Medicare | 15% | 30 |
| Percentage in Medicaid | 11% | 49 |
| Uninsured Population | 15% | 29 |
| Health Spending Per Capita | $5,807 | 13 |
Coverage via Private Insurance Strong in New Jersey
Garden State residents are more likely than the national average to attain their health insurance on the private market. Almost 60% of New Jerseyans have health insurance through their employer, which is about 10% higher than the national average. As a result, we are also among the lowest in terms of the percentage of the population enrolled in Medicaid or other public assistance programs.
CSI-NJ Research
The Common Sense Institute of New Jersey has generated research and commentaries to policy makers and the public regarding ways to improve health care outcomes while keeping costs down. Dr. Poonam Alaigh, former Health and Human Services Commissioner recently joined the Institute’s Board of Directors. Some of our work is linked below.
- The Right Prescription for NJ’s Health Care System - Commentary by Dr. Alaigh
- What the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act means for Medicaid in New Jersey - Presentation by the American Legislative Exchange Council and Cato Institute
- Federal Health Care Law Only Adds Urgency to Need for Medicaid Reform - Commentary by CSI-NJ Executive Director Paul Tyahla
Helpful Government Reports
More than 20% of New Jerseyans are foreign born, presenting unique challenges to our health care system. In March 2011, the Department of Health and Senior Services generated research on the medical and cultural changes needed to ensure quality care for all. That report, The Health of the Newest New Jerseyans is available at this link.
In September 2011, the Christie Administration submitted an application for a “global waiver” from federal Medicaid rules. Much of the state’s Medicaid program is based on a fee-for-service model that has not generated better outcomes and is increasingly costly to taxpayers. The application for the five-year waiver is available here.