Healthcare (Women's Health)

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 2181: Establishes requirements to evaluate certain people who are pregnant and who have given birth for endometriosis.

This bill requires New Jersey healthcare providers to refer pregnant people or new mothers diagnosed with preeclampsia who later show endometriosis symptoms for evaluation. It mandates obstetric care providers to educate patients about endometriosis, explain evaluation benefits, and either conduct the evaluation or refer for one (with a written refusal option). The Commissioner of Health must develop patient education materials on endometriosis symptoms and warning signs, in consultation with advocacy groups. If diagnosed, providers must create a treatment plan to minimize endometriosis risks. The bill is pending in committee and would take effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates provider evaluations and education for endometriosis, improving patient access to diagnosis and care in maternal health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 201: "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act"; bans abortion 20 weeks or more after fertilization.

This bill bans most abortions after 20 weeks following fertilization (conception), requiring physicians to determine the unborn child's post-fertilization age before performing an abortion. It directly affects women seeking abortions after 20 weeks and physicians who perform such procedures. Key exceptions allow abortions for: (1) life-threatening medical conditions of the pregnant person; (2) rape (if reported to authorities and 48-hour counseling is obtained); or (3) incest involving minors (if reported). If an abortion occurs under an exception and the child survives, the bill requires a neonatal care specialist to be present to provide life-saving care.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBans abortions after 20 weeks, restricting a healthcare service (reproductive care) and limiting patient access to medical procedures, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of restricted access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2084: Requires DOH to develop shared decision-making tool and establish maternal health care pilot program.

New Jersey's A 2084 bill requires the Department of Health to develop a voluntary shared decision-making tool for maternity care hospitals and birthing centers. The tool will include patient questionnaires, educational materials about pregnancy care options, and resources to help patients understand risks and benefits of procedures like inductions or cesarean sections. A three-year pilot program will test the tool in at least one facility from each of the state's three regions, collecting data on outcomes like induction rates, birth plans created, and patient experiences. After the pilot, participating facilities must report on the tool's effectiveness and recommend improvements for potential statewide use.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires DOH to develop shared decision-making tool for maternity care, improving patient access to informed choices about procedures like C-sections and inductions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2668: Requires screening of certain high-risk pregnancies and reporting of fetal deaths.

This bill requires healthcare providers in New Jersey to screen for high-risk pregnancies using established medical guidelines and refer patients to specialists (perinatologists) when needed. It mandates reporting fetal deaths occurring at 20+ weeks gestation to a state electronic database, which currently only required reporting for births and deaths. The policy directly affects physicians, midwives, clinics, and hospitals providing prenatal or newborn care, particularly serving low-income expectant mothers at risk for complications. The goal is to improve birth outcomes by ensuring timely specialist care and better data collection during the perinatal period (20 weeks gestation through 28 days after birth).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates high-risk pregnancy screening and fetal death reporting to improve maternal health outcomes and public health data collection, advancing patient access to specialized care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

AJR 38: Designates May of each year as "Maternal Mental Health Month."

AJR 38 designates every May as "Maternal Mental Health Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to raise awareness about mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It does not create new programs or allocate funding, but aims to highlight existing resources like the Department of Health's maternal mental health hotline. The resolution focuses on increasing public recognition of a common health concern affecting up to 1 in 5 women during pregnancy or after childbirth.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDesignates Maternal Mental Health Month to raise awareness of existing services, promoting mental health access without funding changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 2202: Establishes pilot program to provide Medicaid coverage of remote maternal health services for eligible beneficiaries.

This bill (A 2202) establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey to provide Medicaid coverage for remote maternal health services to eligible pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries. It would cover specific remote services including remote monitoring of health data (like blood pressure or glucose levels), remote non-stress tests, and tele-ultrasound, all delivered securely via digital technology. Eligibility includes beneficiaries with high-risk pregnancy factors (such as pre-existing conditions, age, or lifestyle factors) or those facing access barriers like lack of local providers, transportation, or childcare, but participation requires a provider referral and remains voluntary. The program depends on federal reimbursement and must comply with HIPAA and FDA regulations for data security and device approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for remote maternal health services, improving access to care for high-risk pregnancies through telehealth and monitoring tools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Telehealth Women's Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1742: Amends Fiscal Year 2026 annual appropriations act to reassign appropriation for Salvation and Social Justice to Greater Mount Zion Community Development Corporation.

This bill amends New Jersey's fiscal year 2026 budget to reassign $2 million in health services funding from "Salvation and Social Justice" to the Greater Mount Zion Community Development Corporation. The funds will continue supporting a maternal health birthing center in Trenton, with no change to the total appropriation amount or the purpose of the funding. The reassignment specifically updates the budget line item to direct the grant to Greater Mount Zion, a Trenton-based nonprofit focused on maternal health and community development. The bill does not create new funding or alter existing program goals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReassigns existing $2M budget line to fund maternal health program via specific nonprofit, maintaining total appropriation and purpose.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects $2M maternal health funding to nonprofit without changing total amount or purpose, maintaining healthcare support for birthing center services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Women's Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1689: Establishes MOM Project oral health three-year pilot program in DOH; appropriates $4,150,000.

This bill establishes a three-year oral health pilot program called the MOM Project in New Jersey's Department of Health, appropriating $4.15 million. It directly affects low-income pregnant women and new mothers (under 300% of the federal poverty level) who are not enrolled in Medicaid and reside in medically underserved areas. The program requires maternal health consortia to provide eligible mothers with three hours of culturally tailored oral health education (covering hygiene, nutrition, and disease links), followed by a year of dental treatment including cleanings, risk assessments, and restorative care at participating community health centers. The initiative aims to improve access to oral care for this at-risk group, addressing barriers like cost, lack of insurance, and language needs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $4.15M for oral health pilot targeting low-income mothers in underserved areas, expanding public health access and services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Women's Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2438: Prohibits pre-approval or precertification of prenatal ultrasound screenings covered under health benefits plans.

This bill prohibits health insurers, third-party administrators, and state health benefit programs (like the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees’ Health Benefits Program) from requiring pre-approval or precertification for prenatal ultrasounds that are already covered under a health plan and prescribed by a licensed provider. It directly affects patients seeking covered prenatal care by removing administrative delays, ensuring payment occurs without insurer or administrator review. The key provision states that coverage for these screenings cannot be conditioned on pre-approval, streamlining access to a specific medical service. The bill applies to all health plans issued or purchased on or after its effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves pre-approval barriers for covered prenatal ultrasounds, improving patient access to healthcare services without restricting coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2217: Codifies authority for certain health care providers to provide abortions and clarifies certain operational requirements for abortion facilities.

This bill codifies current regulations allowing more healthcare providers (including nurse practitioners and physician assistants) to perform abortions in New Jersey, which has been permitted since 2021. It removes medically unnecessary facility requirements that increase costs and create barriers to care, such as excessive licensing rules. The bill amends licensing statutes to clarify that abortion facilities must meet basic safety standards but eliminates non-essential mandates that don't improve patient health. This change directly affects abortion providers and patients seeking timely, affordable reproductive care across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves unnecessary facility requirements and expands provider access for abortion care, improving patient access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Women's Health

Track