The unions which represent workers in the State Executive Departments negotiate directly with the state. They announced a deal (actual agreement at MOA.pdf, NJ.com article may require subscription at NJ state worker health benefits: Murphy to repeal $100M cut requirement – nj.com ) Thursday night which will change the terms of the State Health Benefits Programs (SHBP) we access through the university.
Rutgers unions do not negotiate the terms of the SHBP. Despite our efforts to advocate and contact state legislators, the agreement means copays, pharmaceutical costs and deductibles are rising. The campaign must continue while implementation is being administered into new phases.
URA members have the widest choice of healthcare plans available to public worker. Presently, hundreds of us use plans with costs based on a percentage of salary (NJ Direct and others) and others calculated using percentage of premium (NJ Direct 15 and others).
For some plans, payroll contributions will go up because premiums are going up. Hundreds of URA members are also participating in plans where costs are based on the percentage of salary, which has served to control costs.
Open enrollment is coming in October. Union members will be offered union-sponsored informational sessions, with Coalition of Rutgers Union representatives on the Plan Design Committee. Full costs and details are still being calculated, so the State has agreed to hold another open enrollment in January or early February.
