CWA Rally in Central Jersey Spotlights Healthcare Affordability Crisis, Features Powerful Testimonies and Unified Call for Legislative Action

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CWA Rally in Central Jersey Spotlights Healthcare Affordability Crisis, Features Powerful Testimonies and Unified Call for Legislative Action

Images and videos from the event are available upon request

WEST WINDSOR, NJ – October 31, 2024 – In a powerful display of unity and determination, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) hosted a legislative breakfast on Thursday, October 30, rallying local union leaders and state legislators around the urgent need to address the state’s rising healthcare costs and pass the "Healthcare Affordability Act" (A5930). The event featured firsthand accounts from public sector workers struggling under the weight of skyrocketing health insurance premiums and seven legislative champions sharing their experiences with the issue and promising to act swiftly in the weeks and months to come.

CWA Local 1036 President and the event’s moderator, Adam Liebtag set the stage, stating, “We’re here to talk about healthcare affordability, and that is not just a tagline in a commercial… There is no way to escape the unaffordability of health insurance right now.” 

The human cost of the crisis was laid bare by CWA members who work in state and local government. Patrick Eckert, an employee of Hunterdown County for 23 years, detailed his financial strain: “One of the perks of being a government employee when I was first hired was not paying for your benefits. My salary wasn't great, but we didn't have to pay for our healthcare.  That was the tradeoff.  After Chapter 78 happened, I am now making $70,000 a year and bringing home just over $40,000. I have health problems. My wife has health problems. I don't know how we could survive if we had kids.” 

Elizabeth Figueroa, a CWA member from the Middlesex County Board of Social Services, shared a similar plight, explaining she pays $780 a month in premiums alone. “It feels like no matter how hard I work, there is no moving forward… I even declined a promotion because of the medical premium cost.” 

A panel of legislators, all sponsors or co-sponsors of A5930, responded with resolute support and a clear analysis of the solutions needed.

– Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (LD-15), a prime sponsor, emphasized the bill's necessity and its essence: “This bill is about accountability, transparency, affordability and cost control,” said Verrelli. “When I was in high school, everybody wanted to go to work for the state, even though they got paid a little less than the private sector. But they had the health care that they desperately needed.”

– Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (LD-15) hammered home the need for data transparency. “We need that transparency. And if you're not doing anything wrong, then show me the data. This legislation says you have to give us the data so that we can analyze it, and then determine how much it can go up. 37% is outrageous and it is disgusting that we’re even asking people to pay this.”

– Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (LD-14) focused on the principle of collective bargaining and to ask straightforward questions about the process: “What we need to do is we need to sit down. We need to figure out: Is Horizon our best value for the buck? What are our submitted charges? How are they being submitted? What is the discount coming back?” 

— Assemblyman Kevin Egan (LD-17) pointed to the root causes of rising costs. “Let's just say we spent $4 in healthcare last year. This year we're up to spending $8. We're getting killed by insurance companies… We're the only country that does this.” 

— Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy (LD-14) highlighted the importance of union representation in healthcare governance. “It is utterly important that all of our unions have a seat at the table when we’re discussing premiums. We also need more partnerships between unions and human resources to promote good health habits.” 

— Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis (LD-16) shared that she has already voted for the bill in committee and underscored its impact on career advancement. “Too often I hear from people who are not taking the promotion at work because they just can’t afford it… It should never be that way.”

— Assemblyman Roy Freiman (LD-16) framed the issue as one of respect for the collective bargaining process. “In this bill we’ll address some short-term issues, which is around what are we going to do with the expenses and the costs right now. It doesn’t get to how we get rid of these escalating costs.”

CWA members from Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon, and Somerset counties pledged to join canvassing efforts, support legislative allies, and continue to mobilize to elect CWA-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill.

The legislators unanimously echoed the critical need for urgency, pledging to move A5930 and other reforms, like PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager) regulation, during the upcoming lame-duck session. The call to action was clear: to pass the bill, they need a governor who will sign it.

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About CWA:

The Communications Workers of America represents working women and men in both the public and private sectors, including in telecommunications, information technology, the media, health care, and public service, across the United States and Canada.