NJEA leaders have expressed strong disapproval of a recent report from the Department of Treasury regarding the State Health Benefit Program for Local Government (SHBP-LG). NJEA President Sean Spiller, Vice President Steve Beatty, and Secretary-Treasurer Petal Robertson issued a statement criticizing the report as misleading and irresponsible.
They emphasized that although NJEA members are not part of SHBP-LG, they recognize a recurring pattern where public employees are blamed for rising healthcare costs. The officers argue that instead of finding collaborative solutions, the report suggests further burdening New Jersey's working families with costs to maintain profits for insurance companies and related industries.
The statement highlights concerns over the lack of transparency in health insurance costs. "The anonymous authors of the report are quick to blame middle-class public employees who have no control over health insurance costs," they stated. They pointed out that these entities continue to profit while resisting transparency efforts.
Criticism was also directed at the Department of Treasury for releasing the report without consulting public employees affected by potential cuts. "It's beyond disrespectful that the Department of Treasury would release a report like this without any discussion or consultation with the public employees it is targeting for drastic cuts."
NJEA called attention to what they view as financial mismanagement by the state, particularly concerning prescription drug contracts. They questioned why there has been no rebidding on such contracts despite legal requirements, suggesting this oversight benefits corporations rather than taxpayers.
In their statement, NJEA leaders reiterated their willingness to collaborate on solutions aimed at stabilizing public employee health insurance plans through transparency and efficiency. They cited past successful initiatives like a redesigned plan in 2020 that saved taxpayers significant amounts while maintaining care quality.
While open to discussions about resolving these issues, NJEA officials warned against attempts by corporations and politicians to deflect blame onto others. They stressed their commitment to advocating for leadership prioritizing working people's needs over corporate interests, supporting Sean Spiller’s gubernatorial candidacy as part of this vision.
