CWA Applauds Introduction and Committee Hearing of A5903 – A Critical Leap Forward for State Health Benefits

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Contact: Anna-Marta Visky, [email protected] | 347 574 5665 

CWA Applauds Introduction and Committee Hearing of A5903 – A Critical Leap Forward for State Health Benefits

Trenton, NJ – July 19, 2025  -  The Communications Workers of America, District 1, today applauded the introduction and Assembly State and Local Government hearing on A5903, legislation that enhances transparency, governance, and oversight of the New Jersey State Health Benefits Program (SHBP).

“A5903 represents a significant step toward ensuring that working families across New Jersey have a stronger voice in the administration of their health benefits,” said Dennis Trainor, Vice President of CWA District 1. “By expanding the State Health Benefits Commission to include additional public‑employee representatives, quarterly prescription formulary updates, and mandating robust claims review of in‑network and out‑of‑network claims, this bill will help hold healthcare administrators accountable and protect the affordability and quality of health coverage for tens of thousands of public-sector employees.”

Highlights of A5903 include:

• Controlling costs and protecting taxpayer dollars by expanding claims review to recoup improper payments to insurance companies or providers, placing limits on costly GLP-1 drugs, tightening oversight of other high-priced medications, and requiring more frequent cost-effectiveness reviews. 
   
• Ensuring affordability for local government employees and employers by requiring SHBP to offer five plans with salary-based contributions, and by triggering collective bargaining if private plan costs exceed SHBP rates. This will reinforce collective bargaining by respecting local arrangements where unions and management have lowered expenses through negotiations.
   
• Reforming the governance structure by expanding the State Health Benefits Commission for equal stakeholder representation, merging its powers with the Plan Design Committee for greater efficiency, and requiring transparency in insurance pricing, carrier performance, and public contracting.

“CWA strongly supports legislators from both sides of the aisle who recognize the need for more transparency, stronger employee representation, and a data-driven approach to health‑plan governance,” Trainor continued. “By ensuring that those who pay into the system can help shape it, A5903 will lead to healthier outcomes, lower costs, and more sustainable health‑plan options.”

CWA looks forward to continuing to work with Speaker Coughlin, bill sponsor Assemblymember Verrelli, the Assembly State and Local Government Committee, and the full Legislature to move A5903 forward and deliver meaningful governance reforms that benefit working families across New Jersey.