Hoboken, N.J. OKs Judi Rx retiree drug plan 7-2 at $801,444

HUDSON TV EXCLUSIVE

HOBOKEN, N.J. — The Hoboken City Council voted 7–2 on Tuesday night, Oct. 27, 2026, to approve amended Resolution A1 moving the city’s Medicare-eligible retirees into a Judi Rx (formerly Capital Rx) level-funded prescription drug plan for 2027—after updated figures presented at the meeting cut the number of covered retirees from 523 to 329, reduced projected annual savings from roughly $1.01 million to $639,576, and lowered the 12-month contract cap from $1,274,028 to $801,444.

Councilmen Paul Presinzano and Michael Russo voted NO, while Councilmembers Phil Cohen, Steven Firestone, Tiffanie Fisher, Diane Imus, Caitlin Layson, Joe Quintero, and Council President Ruben Ramos Jr. voted YES after Cohen added an amendment triggering an “immediate rescission” if the final plan changes any retiree’s deductibles, copays, or coverage limits.

Revised Math & Copay Chart Admission

As Hudson TV first reported on Oct. 24, the special meeting call letter listed a $1,274,028 contract cap based on 523 members at $203 per month. At Tuesday’s meeting, city health-benefits consultant Mark Frank of Brown & Brown told the council an audit reduced the count to 329 retirees ([0:15:00]), lowering the 12-month Judi Rx cap to $801,444 ($203 × 329 × 12) compared with $1,441,020 ($365 × 329 × 12) to remain in the current Medicare Part D setup—a revised projected savings of $639,576.

During questioning ([0:38:52]), Russo pointed out that the packet handed to the council showed a $10 generic retail copay instead of retirees’ current $3 copay. A Capital Rx executive acknowledged on the record that the chart had been pulled from a 31-person non-union plan by mistake and admitted ([0:43:48]): “I was trying to do this expeditiously because we were rushing this. So maybe you’re right. We should wait.” The executive also stated that while copays and cost-sharing will remain identical under Cohen’s amendment, the formulary will change and roughly 20 retirees (including eight taking multi-source brand drugs that have generics) will have to switch to covered alternatives or seek medical-necessity exceptions ([0:47:35]).

Hoboken homeowners can check whether their property is over-assessed with GardenState.ai’s Property Tax Appeal tool.