Last Wednesday, the State Health Benefits Commission approved rate increases for New Jersey public worker health benefits. This decision could lead to spikes as high as 20 percent for the plan’s 816,000 participants and 763 county and municipal agencies, including professionals ranging from firefighters to teachers to local and state workers.

A 20 percent rate hike on our state employee’s health insurance plans is unacceptable. Such an increase will negatively contribute to the already gaping statewide staffing shortages. This will surely further compound the issue of hiring or retaining quality employees. Moreover, the effect on taxpayers will be evident as higher property taxes are sure to follow.

The administration of Governor Murphy has no interest in resolving such shortages confronting our state. Therefore, as open enrollment for members starts on October 1, we call on our legislative colleagues to formally investigate The State Health Benefits Commission’s failure to consider the financial consequences confronting our state employees.