Health Care

The Platform for Progress Health Care Coalition seeks to create a health care system for New Jersey that is accessible, accountable and affordable. Health care is the single largest driver of business costs today. Its lack of affordability for both employers and employees has resulted in roughly half of the state's uninsured being full time workers. We hope to remedy this by providing more low cost coverage options, lowering health care costs through quality measures and technology improvements, and increasing accessibility by encouraging the training of more health care workers.

Coalition Chair: Jeff Sheininger, President, Flexline/U.S. Brass and Copper Corp.

Contact: Jim Leonard

2008-09 Agenda

Long Term Goal: Improve New Jersey’s health care system to assure that it is accessible, accountable, and affordable.

Objective 1: Reform health care coverage for small businesses and individuals in a way that improves health quality and reduces costs of health insurance.

Consensus Items:

• Tort Reform is needed in New Jersey.
• Focus should be given to healthy behavior and preventive care activities that improve quality of life and lower health insurance costs.
• Insurance plan design can have a direct impact on employee health and the cost of premiums.

Objective 2: Make New Jerseyans healthier through health literacy and strategic alliances with other trade associations.

Consensus Items:

• Wellness campaigns are an essential part of improving the health of the citizenry.
• Improving health literacy for customers, providers, and all involved should be a priority for the employer community.