New Jersey’s Rising Health-Care Expenses Will Cost Taxpayers $4 Billion Next Year
- Health costs are set to grow faster than the state budget
- New Jersey has accused insurer Horizon of contract violations
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New Jersey taxpayers will pay more than $4 billion for public employees’ health insurance next year as health costs rise faster than total state spending for the second year in a row.
Governor Phil Murphy’s budget for the year starting July 1 recommends a 7.4% increase for health benefits, or $280.5 million more than the current year, according to New Jersey’s Treasury Department. Overall, state appropriations are set to rise 4.8% under the proposal compared to the amount enacted the previous year.