Healthcare in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2257: Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for family planning and reproductive health care services; prohibits adverse actions by medical malpractice insurers in relation to performance of legally protected health care services.

S 2257 requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover family planning and reproductive health care services - including abortion, contraception, counseling, and related medical care - without cost-sharing. It directly affects health insurers, Medicaid, and medical providers by mandating comprehensive coverage and prohibiting medical malpractice insurance companies from penalizing providers for offering legally protected reproductive care. The bill defines covered services to include abortion procedures, emergency care, genetic testing, and well-baby care, while explicitly excluding childbirth. This policy aims to remove financial barriers, particularly for low-income individuals, people of color, and those in rural areas, ensuring access to reproductive health services without insurance restrictions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Women's Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 790: "Consumer Freedom From Unwanted Expense in Health Insurance Coverage Act."

This bill allows New Jersey residents to purchase health insurance policies sold by insurers licensed in other states (referred to as "foreign health insurers"). It directly affects residents seeking coverage options and employers who may reimburse employees for such policies. The key provision guarantees that buying insurance through this method satisfies any legal requirement for maintaining health coverage, including employer or state mandates. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment but is currently pending in the Senate Commerce Committee.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 50: Urges Congress to pass federal "Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act."

This New Jersey Senate resolution (SR 50) urges Congress to pass the federal "Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act," a legislative package of 13 bills. The resolution highlights that Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, with maternal mortality rates remaining highest among Black mothers. The Momnibus Act would allocate over $1 billion to address racial disparities by funding support for basic needs (like housing and transportation), expanding mental health and substance use services, improving data collection, and increasing access to care through telehealth. The resolution does not create new law but calls for federal action to reduce preventable maternal deaths.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mental Health Telehealth Women's Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 494: Requires health insurance coverage of scalp cooling systems in connection with cancer chemotherapy treatment; requires physicians to inform patients of scalp cooling therapy.

This New Jersey bill (S 494) requires health insurance plans that cover cancer chemotherapy to also cover scalp cooling systems. These systems are devices used to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatment. The law applies to all major insurance types (including individual, group, employer-sponsored, and hospital service plans) that already cover chemotherapy, mandating coverage "to the same extent as for any other condition." It directly affects insurers, who must provide this coverage, and cancer patients, who gain access to a therapy that may reduce treatment-related hair loss.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SJR 31: Establishes New Jersey Pharmacogenomics Commission.

SJR 31 establishes the New Jersey Pharmacogenomics Commission to study how a person's genetic makeup affects medication effectiveness and safety (pharmacogenomics). The 13-member commission, appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders, will examine costs, benefits for patients and providers, applications like opioid crisis response, and potential reductions in adverse drug events. It must hold public hearings in northern and southern New Jersey within six months of forming and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature within six months of its organization. The commission expires after submitting this report, which will inform potential future policy decisions. This is a study commission only - no new laws or funding are created by the bill.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2776: Makes various changes to regulation of health care service firms.

This bill (S 2776) requires certain firms that place caregivers for non-medical home services to register as "Health Care Service Firms" with New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs. It directly affects employment agencies and similar businesses that arrange companion, health care, or personal care services for people with disabilities or those aged 60+ in their homes - excluding licensed home health or hospice agencies. Key provisions include mandating accreditation within 12 months of registration, requiring annual financial reports, and imposing tiered audit requirements based on firm revenue (e.g., firms earning over $5 million in Medicaid funds must submit audits every three years). The bill aims to increase oversight of these providers through standardized financial and operational reporting.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2560: Regulates medication administration in certain residential facilities.

This bill requires that medication in group homes, supervised apartments, and day programs serving people with developmental disabilities must be given only by nurses or certified medication aides working under a nurse's direct supervision. It mandates that parents or legal guardians must provide detailed medication instructions to facility nurses whenever a resident's medication or dosage changes. The bill defines key terms like "community-based residential program" (including group homes and supervised apartments) and "day program" to clarify which facilities it covers. It applies directly to residential facilities licensed by New Jersey's Department of Human Services and their staff, as well as families managing their loved ones' care. The policy aims to standardize medication safety without creating new programs or funding.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 2629: Requires health insurance carriers to reimburse health care providers for vaccines at rate no less than CDC cost per dose rate.

This bill requires health insurance companies and other health carriers in New Jersey to reimburse healthcare providers for vaccines at a rate no lower than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cost per dose rate listed on the CDC's official price list. It directly affects health insurance carriers (including companies and health plans) and healthcare providers who administer vaccines. The key provision sets a minimum reimbursement rate based on the CDC's actual per-dose cost effective on the date the vaccine was provided. This ensures providers are paid at least the CDC's contracted price, preventing underpayment for vaccine administration.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1302: Establishes task force to study issues facing returning members of US Armed Forces, NJ National Guard, and reserve component of US Armed Forces; creates permanent commission to study various definitions related to veteran status.

S 1302 creates two bodies to address veteran support in New Jersey. A 13-member task force will study issues faced by service members returning from Afghanistan/Iraq deployments (including mental health, employment, and family needs) and recommend state actions. A separate 5-member commission will review inconsistent state definitions of "veteran" and "disabled veteran" to improve clarity and uniformity. Both groups must issue reports with findings and legislative recommendations within six months. The bill directly affects returning National Guard members, reservists, and their families, focusing on practical support systems rather than new benefits.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2753: Authorizes provision of comprehensive health care coverage to certain undocumented immigrants and children.

This bill, S 2753, would expand New Jersey’s NJ FamilyCare health coverage program to include pregnant undocumented immigrants and their dependent children under age one. Pregnant undocumented immigrants would receive full coverage through the 60 days following their pregnancy, and their children would qualify for coverage until age one - bypassing current rules that limit undocumented immigrants to emergency-only care. The bill requires the state to first seek federal funding for this coverage, and if federal funds aren’t approved, it would rely on state funds. It explicitly states coverage would only be provided in compliance with federal law, defining "undocumented immigrant" as someone unable to verify legal status or lawful presence in the U.S.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics DACA & Dreamers

All healthcare bills