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NJ SCR61
NJ SCR61Constitutes special committee of Senate and General Assembly entitled "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee."
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 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 a special committee of the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly, named the "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee," to examine rising costs and potential improprieties within the State's health care programs for public employees. The committee, composed of 14 members appointed by the Senate President and Assembly Speaker, will investigate increases in premiums for the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program, the reasons behind these increases, and the specifics of the contract with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, a major health insurance provider. It will also look into allegations that the Governor's Office may have improperly influenced the Department of the Treasury to halt a $34 million contract dispute with Horizon and to stop efforts to recoup those funds, as well as any actions that may have discouraged plan design changes. Furthermore, the committee will review the implementation of a 2019 law that created special accounts within the health benefit funds and mandated the hiring of a third-party medical claims reviewer. The committee is empowered to gather evidence, hold hearings, issue subpoenas (with broad approval), and will ultimately issue a report with recommendations for legislative and policy changes.
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 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/SCR61 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/SCR/61_I1.HTM |
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