The League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association, and New Jersey Association of Counties have been working with other interested stakeholders, including the major public sector union representatives, to address the unsustainable 22% increase in 2023 for the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) municipalities.
A total of 379 municipalities participate in the State Health Benefits system and the negative impact of this increase will be felt statewide as many counties and other local government employers are also in the system. Recognizing that the increase over the previous plan year is $350 million, we are seeking immediate financial relief by providing local governments with grants to fully off-set the increase, with savings shared with the public employees. Further, we call on the Plan Design Committee and State Health Benefits Commission to implement long-term and permanent savings.
On Monday, several local government unions, several dozen elected officials, the New Jersey League of Municipalities, New Jersey Association of Counties, and New Jersey Conference of Mayors held a virtual press conference regarding the pending drastic increases to State Health Benefits Program health insurance premiums.
It is rare that unions and management are completely on the same page. However, this unprecedented coalition representing both labor and management has come together as one because the stakes are so high.
Please take action immediately. With so little time remaining it is critical for Mayors and elected officials in municipalities that participate in the SHBP to directly reach out to your Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) contact in the Governor’s office and reiterate to your Legislators the need for an acceptable resolution of these newly imposed costs on municipal and county governments, our public employees, and taxpayers. If you have already reached out, please do so again—we need their attention and action.
Contacts:
- Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120.
- Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.