August 1, 2007 - Volume I, Issue 2

New NJPRO Special Report Shows NJ Leads Most States in Healthcare Costs
Employers in New Jersey currently pay among the nation�s highest health insurance costs according to a new report issued by the NJ Policy Research Organization (NJPRO), the research affiliate of the NJ Business & Industry Association (NJBIA). The report�"High Healthcare Costs in New Jersey"�is a compilation of a number of national studies and surveys that rank New Jersey�s healthcare costs among the highest in the nation due to several reasons, including: costly coverage mandates, the high number of uninsured, and over regulation of the small employer market.

New Jersey�s poor rankings in national studies have been reflected in real economic figures. The NJPRO report shows that the State has experienced five consecutive years of double-digit inflation in the average cost of health insurance per employee covered.

To download the full NJPRO Report and view all the other nationally recognized rankings of New Jersey�s population and quality of life, visit the NJPRO Web site.

State Statistics Spotlight: NJ First in the Nation in Medicare Spending for Chronically Ill During Last Two Years of Life
NJPRO's "State Stats," which shows how NJ measures up to its competitor states in terms of population and quality of life, taxation and government, economy, education, energy, and healthcare, has just been updated to show that the Garden State ranks first in the nation in Medicare spending for the chronically ill, according to the "Dartmouth Atlas of Healthcare 2006." NJ has the highest Medicare spending for the chronically ill in their last two years of life, patient care has not been shown to be significantly better than other states.

Furthermore, the Dartmouth study showed that there was no correlation between high spending rates and increased life expectancies or, for that matter, an improved quality of life for patients. According to the study, the states that had the highest Medicare spending also had the highest mortality rates and lowest patient quality of life marks. Researchers attributed these findings to more medical mistakes, since these patients tend to make more frequent visits to physicians, have longer hospital stays, and are referred to an increased number of specialists, which causes fragmented care and poor communication, increasing the possibility for error.

The report also showed that New Jersey patients had on average 41.5 doctor visits in the last six months of life, the most in the nation, and that New Jersey had more patient deaths in the intensive care unit than any other state. Furthermore, 38.7 percent of all the chronically ill patients in the State saw 10 or more physicians during the last six months of their lives, also the highest rate in the nation.

New Jersey�s poor ranking from the Center for Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Dartmouth Medical School is just one of the �State Stats� featured on NJPRO�s Web site. The full compilation is available online.

NJPROActive Policy Awards 2007
The NJPRO Foundation held its 2007 NJPROActive Policy Awards on May 10, 2007, at the Trenton Marriott at Lafayette Yard. This year�s event recognized public officials who have worked towards government efficiency, advocated for business interests, and made a concerted effort to cut government spending.

Over 100 people attended the awards presentation. Sara Bluhm, executive director of NJPRO, commenced the ceremonies by recognizing the dignitaries as pioneers in promoting government efficiency and an enhanced economic environment.

Acknowledging the efforts of the honorees, Charlene Brown, chair of NJPRO and vice president of AT&T, stated �The 2007 NJPROActive Policy Awards honor those that have led the fight to make our government more lean and efficient. Runaway government spending has been a subject of past NJPRO research and needs to be the focus of our government leaders to make New Jersey a better place for business. These seven award-winners have all focused on cost-cutting and reducing government spending and they all deserve our thanks!�

The 2007 NJPROActive Policy Award winners are as follows: Governor Jon S. Corzine, Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts, Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance, Senator Shirley Turner, Assemblywoman Nellie Pou, Assemblyman Kevin O�Toole, and the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey for their Board Council Report on Responsible Government Spending.

Save the Date: NJPRO�s Golf Outing October 22, 2007!
Join us on the green at TPC Jasna Polana in Princeton and show your support for research on behalf of New Jersey's employers. On Monday, October 22, 2007, the NJPRO Foundation will hold a golf outing beginning at 11:00a.m. followed by an evening reception at 5:30 p.m.

The brochure for the event, featuring a detailed schedule and registration information, is available online. Those interested may also contact Sara Bluhm at (609)-393-7707, ext. 204.

Support Our Research and Help Promote Pro-Growth Policy
Our objective at NJPRO is to provide effective research on the business community and economic conditions to improve policy debate. We recognize the importance of economic progress, greater prudence in government expenditures of taxpayer dollars, a more business-friendly policy environment, and a better understanding of business issues in government.

NJPRO is a nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization that depends solely on the support of corporations, individuals and foundations for its income. It does not accept any government funding.

To make a tax-deductable contribution, please visit: www.njprofoundation.org/contribution/.