On behalf of our 20,000 members, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), has serious concerns with, and respectfully OPPOSES Assembly Bill 2337 (Benson). The bill requires health insurers to limit patient cost-sharing for prescription drugs and applies to health benefits plans, including plans issued pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs.
NJBIA is concerned that this measure has not been reviewed by the Mandated Health Benefits Advisory Commission prior to today’s discussion before the committee. To create an objective assessment of the impact health insurance coverage mandates have on the cost of purchasing healthcare benefits, including prescription drug coverage, the Commission is charged with providing the Legislature with independent documentation defining the social and financial impact and medical effectiveness of proposed mandated health benefits legislation.
The role of the Commission is particularly important considering that employers continue to cope with rising costs for healthcare coverage. In 2016, the cost of health insurance premiums reached $7,151 for single HMO coverage and $18,754 for family coverage in the Northeast, according to the Kaiser/HRET Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Benefits. The national average for all plans is $6,435 for single coverage and $18,142 for family coverage.
According to the recently released 2016 NJBIA Health Benefits Survey, the average premium paid in New Jersey for single employee coverage is $7,044 and $17,580 for family coverage.
Furthermore, a December 2015 analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation, reveals that drug spending represents 19 percent of health spending in employer health insurance plans, almost double the share of national spending on health.
With the cost of health coverage steadily climbing and coverage continually eroding, it is crucial that the impact of all mandates be carefully evaluated. It is unclear what impact this mandate would have on the cost of health insurance purchased by New Jersey employers.
For these reasons, we respectfully ask that this legislation be evaluated by the Mandated Health Benefits Advisory Commission. Thank you for your consideration of our comments.
