Senator Michael Doherty, R-Warren, introduced legislation Senate today that would establish an employee cost sharing arrangement for the State Employees Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and the School Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP). The measure is part of a four-bill package designed to safeguard the state’s pension and benefits system.
“It is clear that the New Jersey’s pensions and health benefits systems are on the verge of financial collapse,” Doherty stated. “It is imperative that reforms be passed now to prevent the complete collapse of the system.”
The bill would require all state, local government and school district employees and retirees to contribute 1.5 percent of their base salaries toward the cost of health care coverage. Additionally, the bill would only allow full time employees to participate in the programs.
“The taxpayers can not afford the gold-plated pension and benefits plans that public employees enjoy,” Doherty continued. “These common-sense reforms will benefit both the taxpayers and public employees.”
The reforms include some of the recommendations made by the Joint Legislative Committee on Public Employee Benefits Reform. The suggested reforms were published on December 1, 2006. The recommendations were not adopted by the Corzine Administration.
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October 2, 2009
