Bill Text: NJ AR233 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges DOH to resolve any possible logistical, technical, and other issues with its COVID-19 vaccine hotline.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-08 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee [AR233 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AR233-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblyman JOHN ARMATO
District 2 (Atlantic)
Assemblyman VINCENT MAZZEO
District 2 (Atlantic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Conaway and Verrelli
SYNOPSIS
Urges DOH to resolve any possible logistical, technical, and other issues with its COVID-19 vaccine hotline.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the DOH to resolve any possible logistical, technical, and other issues with its COVID-19 vaccine hotline.
Whereas, There have been various reports that individuals are unable to make appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through the Department of Health's (DOH) telephone hotline that is dedicated to assist individuals to make such appointments; and
Whereas, Callers have reported that they are told by DOH hotline representatives they cannot make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment when they call the DOH's hotline; and
Whereas, It has been reported that the DOH's COVID-19 hotline representatives are informing callers that, while COVID-19 vaccine appointments may be available, the representatives are unable to assist individuals to make COVID-19 vaccine appointments; and
Whereas, One caller reported telephoning the DOH COVID-19 vaccine hotline, only to be turned away; and
Whereas, Another caller reported being told by a DOH hotline representative that representatives could only register callers and could not make appointments; and
Whereas, It has been reported that a mother, who is over the age of 65, called the DOH COVID-19 vaccine hotline and a representative told the mother that DOH hotline representatives do not know why they are not able to schedule appointments. When the mother's son called the DOH COVID-19 vaccine hotline, a representative said she could not access the scheduling system; and
Whereas, Another caller was reported as stating that he and others are becoming incredibly frustrated; and
Whereas, It has been reported that a 72 years old woman called the DOH's COVID-19 vaccine hotline on multiple occasions, was informed that representatives were unable to help her make an appointment, and that she was placed on hold for about one hour on one occasion, only to be disconnected; and
Whereas, Other persons calling DOH's hotline have reported other issues, including trouble with the hotline's automated system; and
Whereas, A caller reported that the DOH's automated system told him to wait for the next available representative and then disconnected him; and
Whereas, Other callers to the DOH"s COVID-19 vaccine hotline have reported being placed on hold for 45 minutes or longer, and being suddenly disconnected; and
Whereas, It has been reported that the DOH has stated that the hotline had received more than 16,000 phone calls and that roughly 600 COVID-19 vaccine appointments have been made through the hotline; and
Whereas, The DOH is respectfully urged to resolve any logistical, technical, and any other issues that may exist which are causing difficulties for callers, particularly elderly callers, to ensure that individuals calling the hotline are able to speak with an operator and make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in a quick and simple manner; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges the Department of Health to resolve any issues that may exist with its COVID-19 vaccine hotline to ensure that individuals calling the hotline are able to speak with a representative and make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in a quick and simple manner.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Commissioner of Health.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the Department of Health (DOH) to resolve any possible logistical, technical, and other issues with its COVID-19 vaccine hotline (hotline). There have been various reports that individuals are unable to make appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through the DOH's telephone hotline that is dedicated to assist individuals to make such appointments. Callers have reported that they are told by DOH hotline representatives they cannot make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment when they call the DOH's hotline.
It has been reported that the DOH's COVID-19 vaccine hotline representatives are informing callers that, while COVID-19 vaccine appointments may be available, the representatives are unable to assist individuals to make COVID-19 vaccine appointments. One caller reported telephoning the DOH COVID-19 vaccine hotline, only to be turned away. Another caller reported being told by a DOH hotline representative that representatives could only register callers and could not make appointments.
It has been reported that a mother, who is over the age of 65, called the DOH COVID-19 vaccine hotline and a representative told the mother that DOH hotline representatives do not know why they are not able to schedule appointments. When the mother's son called the hotline, a representative said she could not access the scheduling system. Another caller was reported as stating that he and others are becoming incredibly frustrated.
It has been reported that a 72 year old woman called the DOH's COVID-19 vaccine hotline on multiple occasions, was informed that representatives were unable to help her make an appointment, and that she was placed on hold for about one hour on one occasion, only to be disconnected.
Other persons calling the DOH's hotline have reported other issues, including trouble with the hotline's automated system. A caller reported that the DOH's automated system told him to wait for the next available representative and then disconnected him. Other callers to the DOH"s COVID-19 vaccine hotline have reported being placed on hold for 45 minutes or longer, and being suddenly disconnected.
It has been reported that the DOH has stated that the hotline had received more than 16,000 phone calls and that roughly 600 COVID-19 vaccine appointments have been made through the hotline.
