Bill Text: NJ AR166 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizes and honors volunteers with NJ Medical Reserve Corps.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-12-05 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee [AR166 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-AR166-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman HERB CONAWAY, JR.
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Recognizes and honors volunteers with NJ Medical Reserve Corps.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution recognizing and honoring volunteers with the New Jersey Medical Reserve Corps.
Whereas, Community health volunteers serve a variety of important functions including reception and clerical services, information technology, language translation, assistance for persons with disabilities and functional needs, hospitality, food services, and security. In New Jersey, these volunteers are members of the New Jersey Medical Reserve Corps (NJMRC); and
Whereas, Created in 2005, the NJMRC is a network of 24 community-based units, housed within local health agencies, comprised of volunteers who help ensure their communities are healthy, prepared, and resilient; and
Whereas, NJMRC volunteers serve indoors and outdoors in all types of weather and represent approximately 2,970 medical and public health professionals including, nurses, pharmacists, physicians, physician assistants, dentists, veterinarians, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and medical and nursing students. NJMRC volunteers also include veterans of the United States Armed Forces; and
Whereas, During the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, NJMRC volunteers across the State stepped forward to support their communities in response to Governor Murphy's call for individuals with prior medical experience; and
Whereas, NJMRC units dedicated approximately 52,100 volunteer hours to a wide array of COVID-19 response roles; and
Whereas, Common NJMRC missions during the COVID-19 pandemic included: operating or supporting drive-through and walk-up COVID-19 test and vaccination sites; COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing support; call center and hotline operations; community outreach, including food distribution to at-risk community members; patient care at long-term care facilities; personal protective equipment distribution; public health education regarding social distancing, proper mask wearing, and personal hygiene; and wellness checks for homebound individuals; and
Whereas, Many local health agencies where NJMRC units are housed have stated they could not have implemented their COVID-19 response activities without the assistance of the NJMRC; and
Whereas, Approximately 300,000 COVID-19 diagnostic tests (nasal swab, saliva, antibody) were performed or supported by NJMRC volunteers, and the estimated number of COVID-19 vaccinations administered or supported by NJMRC volunteers since vaccines became available is over 200,000; and
Whereas, The current estimated total economic value of NJMRC COVID-19 response activities is estimated at over $2,000,000; and
Whereas, It is therefore proper and fitting to recognize the volunteers of the NJMRC and to honor their service to the State and the dedication they displayed in providing services ensuring their communities remained healthy and were prepared in the face of the public health emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House recognizes the volunteers of the New Jersey Medical Response Corps (NJMRC) and honors their service to the State and the dedication they displayed in providing services ensuring their communities remained healthy and were prepared in the face of the public health emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to each NJMRC unit in the State of New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This resolution recognizes the volunteers of the New Jersey Medical Response Corps (NJMRC) and honors their service to the State and the dedication they displayed in providing services ensuring their communities remained healthy and were prepared in the face of the public health emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NJMRC is a network of 24 community-based units comprised of volunteers who help ensure their communities are healthy, prepared, and resilient. During the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, NJMRC volunteers across the State stepped forward to support their communities in response to the Governor's call for individuals with prior medical experience, and dedicated approximately 52,100 volunteer hours to a wide array of COVID-19 response roles.
Many local health agencies where NJMRC units are housed have stated they could not implement their COVID-19 response activities without the assistance of the NJMRC.
Therefore, it is appropriate to recognize and honor the volunteers of the NJMRC for their service to the State and their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
