Coalition for Affordable Hospitals Issues Statement on Passage of S-3756

Encouraged by focus on healthcare affordability says Major Unions & Advocacy Groups

“While we don’t think this bill goes far enough, we appreciate that the legislature took the time to hear our concerns as well as their openness to sit down with us to collaborate on further legislation. We are encouraged by the legislature’s commitment to lower costs and stabilize pricing, not only for SHBP and SEHBP members, but for all New Jerseyans.

“We believe the health benefit commissions and plan design committees need to have the authority and the information required to be effective in their duties. We believe we should expect our plan providers to be held to a fiduciary standard. We believe that the state should demand more transparency around pricing for services, especially in hospitals, and we believe that together, we can truly make healthcare more transparent and more affordable for all New Jersey workers and families.”

Members of the New Jersey Coalition for Affordable Hospitals include:

• New Jersey Education Association – NJEA
• New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association – NJ FMBA
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees NJ – AFSCME NJ
• Communications Workers of America NJ – CWA NJ
• NJ State Policemen’s Benevolent Association – NJSPBA
• BlueWave NJ
• Service Employees International Union – SEIU Local 32 BJ