Moorestown Pediatrician Discusses Bid For State Assembly Seat

MOORESTOWN, NJ — When Dr. Jennifer Chuang was getting her education through the Moorestown Township Public School District, she learned that mixing sulfuric acid with sugar is a memorable exothermic reaction experiment.

This statement shows she has a complex understanding of science. She said it's her concern for a lack of even basic scientific understanding at the national level in politics is one of the motivating factors in her decision to run for an open seat in the New Jersey State Assembly.

“A frequently cited concern by parents has been media reports that certain vaccinations may cause autism,” Chuang, a pediatrician, said as she announced her candidacy for a 7th District Assembly Seat before about 50 people at the Moorestown Community House Tuesday night. “Despite me saying over and over again to parents that the scientific research does not support this concern, I can see that the fear remains for some parents.”

She went on to say that she understands fears about not knowing enough about autism in general, but said she can definitively say that there is no link between vaccinations and autism.

“And when I saw that bills have been increasingly introduced to the NJ State legislature regarding having vaccines become more and more voluntary in nature, I was no longer able to rest,” Chuang said. “This brings a rise out of pediatricians everywhere, and it should bring a rise out of parents, teachers, and healthcare providers. Vaccinations are the main reason why I, as a pediatrician, felt that it was essential to enter this NJ State Assembly race at this particular time.”

She said the state already allows for voluntary vaccinations for religious reasons, and that this has resulted in 9,506 children not being vaccinated over the last two years.

“If our state and national government leadership pass laws that continue to loosen vaccination requirements, then lives will be lost, and I cannot sit by and allow that to happen. I’m a pediatrician, and we fight for our patients’ lives,” she said.

Chuang is a Taiwanese-American who was born and raised in Moorestown. She graduated from Moorestown High School in 1995.

Current Assemblyman Troy Singleton is running for the State Senate seat Diane Allen is vacating at the end of the year. The Democrats have endorsed incumbent Herb Conaway and newcomer Carol Murphy in the race for the two Assembly seats.

Chuang, a newcomer to politics, feels now is the right time for her to run, but said she will support whoever wins in the Democratic Primary on June 6 in the Nov. 7 general elections. She said Singleton’s decision to pursue the State Senate factored into her decision to run. She supports Jim Johnson in his bid for governor.

As a pediatrician, Chuang has a range of opinions on medical issues, including nationalized healthcare. While she said she would like to one day see a single-payer system in America, she thinks the best way to reduce costs is to work with the insurance companies, given the current political climate.

“I’m hoping we can get to a single-payer system sooner than later,” Chuang said in response to a question from an audience member.

She praises the Affordable Care Act for opening up coverage to more people in need and allowing young adults to stay on their parents’ coverage plan longer because that was the age group in which the least amount of people had insurance. H0wever, she said a lot needs to be fixed, particularly reducing costs.

She supports funding for Planned Parenthood, opposes cuts to NIH grant funding, and supports strict gun control laws, including banning semi-automatic assault weapons and silencers on handguns.

She said 70 percent of teenagers die for reasons other than medical illness, including unintentional injuries, suicide and homicide caused by guns.

“My patients’ parents, who come from all sides of the political spectrum including NRA members, know that I routinely ask whether there is a firearm in the house, especially if I am worried that their child is suicidal,” Chuang said. “And regardless of the political rhetoric going on in the media, I have never had a disagreement with a parent regarding a firearm. In the confines of the hospital or the office, parents know that we are mutually making decisions for the safety and the life of their child.”

Outside of medical issues, she wants to see the state resume payments to the Teacher’s Pension Fund, end the PARCC graduation requirement, and combat the growing number of hate crimes in the country and the state.

When asked if she would be in favor of working with Republicans to reduce the power of the federal government to limit President Donald Trump’s powers, Chuang said she understands smaller government is a core Republican value, but she doesn’t agree with every aspect of it.

“There are many good laws,” Chuang said. “In New Jersey, we are still a leader for the rest of the United States, but we have to stay that way.”

Chuang is the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants. She and her husband, Lakshman Nathan, live in Moorestown with their two young children, ages 6 and 2.

For more, visit the Dr. Jennifer Chuang For New Jersey State Assembly 7th District Facebook page.