Poll: Is It Time to Revise New Jersey’s Public-Employee Health Insurance Plan?

NJ Spotlight | November 20, 2014 | Polling
Take a look at the numbers for the cost of state employee benefits and see if they add up to ‘time for a change’ or

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With Gov. Chris Christie setting up a commission to study pension and health benefit costs, NJ Spotlight this week released an analysis of the cost of state and local government health insurance. Among the findings:

  • New Jersey state government health insurance premium costs are the 3rd-highest in the nation — about the same rank as private insurance plans.
  • New Jersey state and local government employees pay the highest average out-of-pocket share for individual health insurance policies and the 10th-highest amount for family insurance in the country.
  • New Jersey has the most progressive premium payment schedule in the country, ranging from a 3 percent share for family plans for employees making up to $25,000 all the way up to a 35 percent premium share for those making over $110,000.
  • New Jersey public employees pay a higher percentage of their health insurance costs than private-sector employees for individual plans, and almost as high a premium share for family coverage.