For the first time, school districts in the New Jersey State Health Benefits Program would have the ability to negotiate cost-saving options with their employees – something that’s long been available in the private sector, under the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Committee on Public Employee Benefits Reform.

NJSBA Executive Director Edwina M. Lee applauded the benefits committee’s recommendations, which represent long-term goals.  “The committee’s recommendations are on the mark, and can have a direct, positive impact on property tax relief,” she said.

Approximately 40 percent of New Jersey’s school districts participate in the plan.  They are precluded from negotiating such aspects of coverage as employee contribution to premium, deductible and co-pay levels, and waivers of duplicate coverage.

Health Benefits Reform The committee’s recommended changes to the New Jersey State Health Benefit Program including –

• Requiring all active public employees to pay a portion of health care insurance premium, with the amount determined through negotiations.
• Providing flexibility to local governments, including school districts, to negotiate different levels of cost-sharing and coverage.
• Allowing school districts to provide incentives to employees to waive coverage.

NJSBA had advocated these and other changes to the joint committee, which cited the Association’s comments in its final report.  Association officials also appeared twice before the governor’s Pension and Benefits Review Commission last year.  The work of that commission was referenced by the committee.