title
RESOLUTION URGING STATE LEADERS TO IMPLEMENT FAIR AND EQUITABLE REFORMS TO MITIGATE THE UNSUSTAINABLE INCREASES IN HEALTH BENEFIT PREMIUMS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES
body
WHEREAS, the County of Passaic (“County”) is a body politic and corporate pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:18-1 and vested with all rights contained therein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:20-1, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic (“Board”) is vested with managing the property, finances, and affairs of the County; and
WHEREAS, county governments across the State of New Jersey spent an estimated $1.2 billion in taxpayer dollars in 2025 to provide health benefits for approximately 30,000 employees, with employee contributions totaling $150 million, or 12.5% of the estimated total, and
WHEREAS, time is of the essence for State leaders to enact long-term structural reforms that should include eliminating costly plan designs; modifying co-pays for specialists and urgent care; restricting the use of out-of-network healthcare coverage and GLP-1 drugs; implementing a Reference-Based Pricing System; streamlining the use of Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts; and enhancing medical transparency and the collection of data; and
WHEREAS, failure to make these long-term structural reforms will leave county officials no choice but to impose hiring freezes, eliminate budgeted vacancies, and increase taxes on residents already burdened with the highest property tax bill in the nation; and
WHEREAS, this matter was discussed at the April 29, 2026, Administration and Finance Committee meeting, and is being recommended to the Board for approval.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic hereby urges state leaders to implement fair and equitable reforms to mitigate the unsustainable increases in health benefit premiums for public sector employees.
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk to the Board is directed to forward certified copies of this Resolution to Governor Mikie Sherrill, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Speaker of the General Assembly Craig Coughlin, and the clerks of the boards of county commissioners in all twenty-one counties.
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk to the Board, County Counsel, County Administrator, and Director of the Board are authorized to take any action necessary to carry out the purpose of this Resolution.
NB May 12, 2026