TOMS RIVER, NJ — Community Medical Center and its parent company, RWJ Barnabas Health, have announced they are joining the steady stream of companies and groups assisting federal workers who are going unpaid during the goverment shutdown.

RWJ Barnabas announced Monday it will waive co-pays and other costs systemwide for those who are not receiving paychecks. "Effective immediately, RWJBarnabas Health ... will waive co-pays, deductibles and additional eligible patient care balances for any furloughed federal employees and their dependents at all system hospitals, ambulatory facilities and owned physician practices," the company said in announcements on the Community Medical Center Facebook page and on the RWJ Barnabas website.

The announcement came from Jack Morris, chair of the hospital system's Board of Trustees, and Barry H. Ostrowsky, the president and CEO. The waiver will be discontinued upon federal employees returning to their pre-shutdown employment status, the company said.



"We recognize the financial hardship being experienced by these families, because they are our neighbors and friends – they live in the communities we serve each day," Morris said. "We are an organization that is committed to not just delivering health care, but improving the health of those we serve. Affordability is a key factor in whether families can access care, and we believe that our action today can help alleviate some of the pressures these furloughed federal workers are currently facing," Ostrowsky said.

In addition to waiving payments due for care provided during the current government shutdown, any payments that these same workers may be obligated to make to the health system on past visits will be deferred until their wages are reinstated.

The waiver is available to all federal employees and dependents who provide proof of federal employment upon receiving a bill, the company said.