Governor Appoints NJSBA Counsel to School Employees' Health Benefits Commission

Governor Appoints NJSBA Counsel to School Employees' Health Benefits Commission

Cynthia J. Jahn, NJSBA’s assistant executive director/general counsel, was recently appointed by Gov. Jon Corzine to the School Employees’ Health Benefits Commission, the executive body established by state law to be responsible for the operation of the state’s new health program for school employees. Her three-year term was effective Sept. 4.

The School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) is a state-run program exclusively for public school employees, retirees and their eligible dependents. It was established in 2007, and began operations on July 1 of this year.

By statute, a representative of NJSBA serves on the nine-member commission overseeing the new plan. It marks the first time that a representative of local school boards has a voice in the governance of a public employee health program.

“The interests of school boards around the state will now be represented in the program, and we are delighted that Cyndy will be in the position to advocate for our members,” said Marie S. Bilik, NJSBA executive director. “We will approach this from two vantage points; maintaining a dependable source of coverage for school employees, and helping to contain costs for districts.”

School districts previously enrolled in the other state-operated plan, the State Health Benefits Program, automatically moved into the SEHBP; approximately one third of the state’s school districts participate in the program. School districts that secure health benefits through private carriers will not be forced to join the new program.

The new SEHBP resulted from an agreement between the state teachers union and Gov. Corzine. One reason for creating the new program centered on the fact that the existing State Health Benefits Program, established for state workers, can change as a result of labor negotiations between state employee unions and the governor.