Bill
Bill > SCR61
NJ SCR61
NJ SCR61Constitutes special committee of Senate and General Assembly entitled "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee."
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This concurrent resolution constitutes a special committee of the Legislature entitled the "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee." The creation of this committee is in response to several news articles highlighting the recommended increase in premiums and periodic charges for the State health care programs and allegations the Governor's Office may have intervened during contract disputes with the State's contractor, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. The committee will review and investigate the recommended increases in the premiums of the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program. The committee will also investigate allegations that the Governor's Office may have pressured staff at the Department of the Treasury to halt the contract dispute with Horizon and the effort by the department to recoup the $34 million from the contract. Additionally, the committee will review the implementation, if any, of P.L.2019, c.143, which created subaccounts in the State Health Benefits Program Fund and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program Fund and also required the State to procure a professional services contract for a third-party medical claims reviewer for the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program. The committee will make recommendations that address this subject.
AI Summary
This concurrent resolution establishes the "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee," a special 14-member legislative committee with balanced partisan representation, to investigate several aspects of the state's public employee health care programs. The committee will examine premium increases in the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program, investigate contract negotiations and disputes with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, review allegations of potential gubernatorial interference in contract negotiations, and assess the implementation of a 2019 law creating subaccounts and requiring a third-party medical claims reviewer. The committee will have broad investigative powers, including the ability to issue subpoenas (with multi-party consent), hold hearings, take sworn testimony, interview witnesses, and potentially refer violations to appropriate authorities. The committee must ultimately produce a report with findings and recommendations for legislative and policy changes regarding state health care program contracts. The resolution allows the committee to utilize state employee services and potentially hire special counsel, and the committee will automatically expire upon completion of its investigation.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (11)
Tony Bucco (R)*,
Declan O'Scanlon (R)*,
Jon Bramnick (R),
Kristin Corrado (R),
Jim Holzapfel (R),
Joe Pennacchio (R),
Vince Polistina (R),
Holly Schepisi (R),
Bob Singer (R),
Douglas Steinhardt (R),
Mike Testa (R),
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/SCR61 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/SCR/61_I1.HTM |
Loading...