The move to stabilize New Jersey's underfunded pension and health care systems by requiring public workers to pay sharply more for the benefits while suspending bargaining over health care was fast-tracked through the Legislature Monday, after Democrats joined with Republicans to buck the powerful public employee unions.

New Jersey legislation requiring public workers to shoulder a larger portion of their pension and health benefits costs and restricting collective bargaining over health care picked up steam this week.

The leader of the New Jersey Assembly has agreed to post a bill requiring all public workers to pay more for health care and pension benefits for a hearing, despite an initial reluctance to move the measure forward without a majority of Democrats backing it.

Americans know they sacrifice them to provide care for their elderly parents, but they probably don't just how high a price they are paying.