New Jersey Business and Industry Association

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Attention: State House Editors

	Health Data Commission Necessary For Making InformedHealthcare Decision, NJBIA Tells Senate Committee

	News Release: January 22, 2001 If New Jersey employers are to provide their employeeswith the best possible health plans at the lowest cost, they require theassistance of a Health Data Commission, according to testimony from theNew Jersey Business & Industry Association presented to the SenateHealth Committee today. Assistant Vice President Bryan Markowitz said businesses need a single,comprehensive source of healthcare information to make informed decisionson the purchase of health plans. The bill, S-374 (Sinagra, Adler)/A-314(Vandervalk, Cohen), would not impose any additional reporting requirementson insurers, hospitals, or physicians. "The process of purchasing health insurance, choosing a physician,hospital or other health service has become more complex as the healthcaremarketplace has evolved," Markowitz told the committee. "Often, consumersare faced with the prospect of making decisions regarding their healthcarewithout enough pertinent information. "The Health Data Commission will address these concerns by compiling,evaluating, and disseminating necessary information that will be collectedfrom government agencies and private entities," he said. Markowitz pointed out that NJBIA member companies responding to theAssociation's 1999 Health Benefits Survey paid an average health insurancepremium of $5,200 per employee. By providing employers with comprehensivehealth insurance data, the commission would help businesses select thebest plans at the lowest cost. Employers serving on NJBIA's Health Affairs Committee developed theidea for the Health Data Commission. Back To News Releases

NewJersey Business & Industry Association
102 WestState Street
Trenton,NJ 08608-1199
609-393-7707