Peters, Stanfield blast Governor, Democratic caucus for new health premium tax proposal

TRENTON – Assemblyman Ryan Peters and Assemblywoman Jean Stanfield sent a strong
message to Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey’s Democratic caucus over a new tax
proposal that could raise average family health insurance premiums by more than $600.

The 8th District legislators oppose the proposal, which would impose a flat, 2.5 percent tax on
health insurance premiums in the state in order to raise $300 million in revenue. An average
New Jersey family would see its healthcare cost increase by about $613 annually, according to
a report by the nonpartisan affordable healthcare think tank, the Kaiser Family Foundation. The
assembly will vote on the bill on Thursday.

“All I can say is, ‘What is this Democratic legislative body doing?’ You are suffocating families
and businesses and doing everything you can to decimate the working class in New Jersey,”
Peters said.

“This type of flat healthcare tax was repealed federally, last year, by a huge bipartisan margin of
Democrats and Republicans because of how much it raised health premiums. New Jersey
Democrats are moving the goalposts further left than some of the most liberal Washington
politicians,” he continued.

“This is not something New Jersey families and businesses can stand for. The coronavirus
pandemic might register as the most difficult time in many peoples’ lives. Having their health
insurance premiums possibly increase by this much is devastating. I really hope the other side
of the aisle has a change of heart on this before Thursday,” Stanfield said.

“What family can afford an extra $600 right now? What business can afford this tax? Sneaking
through this tax while everyone’s attention is focused elsewhere is indefensible,” she continued.