Atlanta, GA – Tea Party Patriots President and Co-Founder Jenny Beth Martin issued the following statement today in response to the news that Standard & Poor’s has given an “A” credit rating to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.

“Conservatives believe deeply in the power of free markets, and we are greatly concerned about Governor Chris Christie’s attempt to extort a private company into turning over customer premiums to fund an expansion of government. Governor Christie has shown little regard for fiscal responsibility, as evidenced by the fact that New Jersey’s own credit rating has been downgraded 11 times during his time in Trenton. His reckless, big government beliefs have already impacted the fiscal health of the state he runs, and now he is willing to undermine the rating of private companies in order to fund more government. We hope the legislature will stand up to this reckless power grab and protect both the free market and New Jerseyans’ healthcare security.”

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