New Jersey Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill launched the State Health Benefits Program Reform Working Group on Oct. 1 to review and advise on health coverage for public employees.
Ms. Sherrill announced the working group following a Sept. 2 agreement with 17 state employee unions. Along with unions, participants include public employer organizations, legislative offices and healthcare groups, such as the New Jersey Association of Health Plans and New Jersey Hospital Association. Aetna, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and UnitedHealth Group’s pharmacy benefit manager, Optum Rx, are all vendors serving the benefits program. All three are also members of the working group.
The working group will form advisory recommendations for the governor, focusing on benefits administration, provider network structures and payment, plan pricing and premium contributions, plan design, employer and member participation, and whether the program has resources to manage costs. The working group will have subcommittees targeting these areas.
“We are taking a different approach by bringing stakeholders together, working from shared data and pursuing long-term changes that preserve high-quality benefits while making these programs more affordable and sustainable,” Ms. Sherrill said in an Oct. 1 news release. “I appreciate everyone’s willingness to come to the table ready to problem solve.”
The group’s first meeting will take place Oct. 16.
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