New Jersey's Next Governor Pushes for Better Kids' Health Care

New Jersey's incoming governor, Mikie Sherrill, has big plans to improve health care for children across the state. She wants every school-aged kid to get a check-up and the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. This comes at a time when many families are struggling with rising health insurance costs. Sherrill is worried that without help, many families will fall back on expensive emergency room visits for basic care. She believes that no child in one of the richest states in the country should go without proper health care or food. The state is also facing cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps nearly 800, 000 low-income people, including many children and elderly individuals.Mental health is another big concern for Sherrill. She points out that there aren't enough mental health professionals to support the growing number of children who need help. Insurance companies often don't cover the necessary care, making it even harder for families to get the support they need. Sherrill plans to look into telehealth services to help address this shortage. Social media also plays a role in the mental health crisis among youth. Sherrill wants to use research from companies like Meta to make better decisions for kids' well-being at the state level. She acknowledges that while some mental health programs are working well, there are still gaps that need to be filled. Sherrill's team is already discussing strategies to provide better preventive care for children once she takes office. She believes that ensuring every child gets the support they need is not just important—it's essential.