Mercer Times

The Murphy Administration has unveiled three reports evaluating the quality and affordability of health care in New Jersey. These documents aim to highlight the ongoing challenges faced by residents due to expensive health care services. They are expected to guide innovative strategies to tackle high costs.

These reports follow recent legislation aimed at protecting consumers from medical debt, building on Governor Phil Murphy's initiatives for affordable health care. Efforts include increased enrollment in affordable health coverage through Get Covered New Jersey, enhanced Medicaid benefits, and legislative measures for prescription drug affordability.

Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the importance of these findings: “We’ve taken critical steps toward addressing the rising cost of health care in New Jersey, but these reports underscore the urgency to continue our progress in making high-quality health care more affordable for all.”

The reports were commissioned by the New Jersey Health Care Affordability, Responsibility and Transparency (HART) Program, a collaboration between the Governor’s Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency (OHCAT) and the Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI). They aim to provide transparency regarding health care spending and its rapid growth.

OHCAT Director Shabnam Salih stated, “We’re all feeling the financial strain of inflation and the rising costs of daily life. These reports serve as a critical landmark in our efforts to make high-quality health care more affordable and accessible for everyone in our state, and set the stage for more work to come.”

The Department of Banking and Insurance also released a report on health insurance affordability standards as part of Executive Order No. 217. Acting Commissioner Justin Zimmerman noted that while strides have been made with initiatives like Get Covered New Jersey, further efforts are needed: “New Jersey is committed to increasing access to quality, affordable health care."

These reports will inform strategies across government sectors to reduce cost growth while maintaining or improving care quality. Various stakeholders across New Jersey have expressed their commitment to working together towards making health care more affordable.