By JONATHAN TAMARI
GANNETT STATE BUREAU

A plan to mandate health insurance for all New Jersey children and expand coverage for some parents, the first step in an attempt to bring universal health care to the state, began working its way through the Legislature Thursday.

The proposal, spearheaded by Sen. Joseph Vitale, D—Middlesex, and also backed by Sen. Robert Singer, R-Ocean, was unanimously approved by the Senate health committee and received a public endorsement from Senate President Richard J. Codey, D-Essex. But questions remain over whether the state can afford the plan.

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