NJ A4713

Establishes a 15-member Health Care Cost Containment Commission within the Department of Health to review health care expenditures, identify cost growth trends and drivers, and set cost growth benchmarks for health care facilities

Commission members serve five-year staggered terms and include gubernatorial appointees, legislative appointees, representatives from local government, public and private sector interests, consumer advocates, and the State Comptroller

Commission must set goals to reduce per capita health care spending growth, promote affordable pricing while maintaining quality care and health equity, and lower consumer premiums and out-of-pocket costs

Requires annual reports to the Governor and Legislature containing relevant data, established benchmarks with rationale, and policy recommendations to lower health care costs

Appropriates up to $5 million from the General Fund to the Department of Health for implementation, with the act taking effect 180 days after enactment