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Bill > ACR55


NJ ACR55

NJ ACR55
Constitutes special committee of Senate and General Assembly entitled "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee."


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
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 Legislature, called the "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee," composed of 14 members appointed by the Senate President and Assembly Speaker. This committee's purpose is to investigate concerns arising from recent news reports about recommended increases in health insurance premiums for state and school employees, as well as allegations that the Governor's Office may have interfered with contract negotiations and a dispute with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, the state's health insurance provider, concerning a $34 million contract. The committee will also examine the implementation of a 2019 law that created special accounts within the health benefit funds and required the state to hire a third-party medical claims reviewer. The committee is granted broad investigative powers, including the ability to issue subpoenas and hold hearings, and will ultimately issue a report with recommendations for legislative and policy changes regarding state health care programs.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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