Those who are enrolled in the union negotiated healthcare plans (Horizon 26NJDirect or 26 Aetna Freedom and others) will see no increase for employee contribution for 2027. Our state union partners, CWA, AFT College Council, AFTNJ and others fought to protect workers from the projected 15.1% increase to the premium. In providing this relief, Gov. Sherrill and her team has committed to finding sustainable reforms with labor to control costs moving forward including plan design and governance.
What was won for those in union negotiated plans:
- No cost-shifting onto our members,
- 0% increase in healthcare contributions from our members,
- Agreement to work with other stakeholders to identify root causes and structural reforms to bring down the cost of care.
This win is due entirely to unions having a strong collective voice, member advocacy, and our legislative and political action work.
Those who are enrolled in legacy Chapter 78 plans like NJ Direct 15 or Aetna 26 Freedom 15 will have their employee contribution increase because those plans are calculated as a percentage of premium. The proposed premium increase is 21% currently. As in past years, we will inform members about options to lower costs and maintain quality care through Healthcare Town Hall informational sessions when Open Enrollment begins in October. This will enable those who are seeing increases to understand more about the options available and make changes which will take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
