Few N.J. public workers choose cheaper insurance

TRENTON - Fewer than 1 percent of New Jersey public employees opted for cheaper insurance coverage offered under Gov. Christie's health-care overhaul.

Treasury Department figures show nearly all of the 397,809 eligible workers kept health plans with higher premiums. Only 15 of the 309 workers who did switch selected the highest deductible.

The state is not going to see significant savings in health-care costs by the time the fiscal year ends in June, Treasury spokesman Andrew Pratt told The Record and the Star-Ledger of Newark.

Officials expect that to change as public employees contribute more toward their health care starting in the summer. Workers will pay an average of 20 percent of their health-premium costs by 2014. - AP