Healthcare (Long-Term Care)

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

A 3066: Requires DHS to review, and implement certain improvements to, Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Program and to establish public-facing report card of managed care organization's coordination of program.

This bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to review and improve its Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Program, which coordinates long-term care for Medicaid members. It directs the state to assess quality oversight, barriers to moving members from nursing homes to community settings, and successful payment models nationwide. The state must then mandate managed care organizations (MCOs) to reduce caseloads for nursing home residents, conduct more frequent face-to-face visits, annually review member preferences for community transitions, and create transition teams for complex moves. Additionally, the state must create public report cards on its website showing MCO performance metrics, enrollment data, disenrollment rates, member feedback, and quality ratings to help Medicaid members choose providers. The report cards must be updated annually, and the state must submit a progress report to the legislature within 18 months.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires DHS to improve Medicaid MLTSS program, mandate MCOs to reduce caseloads and increase visits, strengthening long-term care coordination and oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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

A 1160: Requires DOH to evaluate technology uses in long-term care settings, implements certain technological requirements within long-term care settings, and clarifies existing telehealth reimbursement parity includes long-term care settings.

This bill requires New Jersey long-term care facilities (like nursing homes) and home/community-based care providers to implement certified electronic health record systems within 270 days, with state grants available to support this transition. It also clarifies that telehealth services provided in long-term care settings must receive reimbursement rates equal to in-person services (with limited exceptions for audio-only visits), ensuring parity for these settings. Additionally, facilities must provide internet, TV, and phone access in every resident room within six months, with funding available to help cover costs. These requirements apply directly to licensed long-term care facilities and home-based providers, aiming to improve care coordination and resident connectivity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates EHR systems and telehealth reimbursement parity in long-term care, improving access and funding for healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates certified EHRs, provides state grants for tech transition, and ensures telehealth reimbursement parity in long-term care settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Telehealth

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

A 2121: Extends regulatory power of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to senior housing.

This bill extends the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman's authority to handle complaints about abuse or exploitation involving elderly residents in senior housing communities. It specifically requires the ombudsman to "elicit, receive, process, respond to, and resolve" such complaints in "age-restricted developments," defined as communities complying with federal housing rules for older persons. The change directly affects elderly residents living in these senior housing communities and ensures they have a dedicated channel for addressing safety concerns. The bill amends existing law to add this complaint resolution duty without altering the ombudsman's other core functions or creating new funding requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill extends ombudsman authority to resolve elder abuse/exploitation complaints in senior housing, protecting patient rights in long-term care settings.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill extends ombudsman authority to handle abuse/exploitation complaints in senior housing, strengthening tenant protections for elderly residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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

A 420: Provides gross income tax credit to qualified caregivers for care and support expenses incurred for qualifying relative or individual with disabilities.

This New Jersey bill creates a state tax credit of up to $2,500 annually for residents who provide care to a qualifying relative (a relative aged 65 or older, or 50 or older with a disability meeting income limits) or to any individual with a disability. The credit covers expenses like medical equipment, home modifications, in-home care services, and transportation for medical care. Caregivers must submit documentation including receipts, proof of payment, and verification of care to claim the credit. Any unused credit amount that reduces tax liability to zero is refunded as an overpayment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $2,500 annual tax credit for caregivers, providing direct tax relief to middle/lower income residents for essential care expenses. Aligns with tax relief indicators for fiscal support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tax credit for medical expenses (equipment, transport) supporting caregivers of disabled/elderly, advancing access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Long-Term Care

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

A 3779: Establishes testing and visitation requirements and employment restrictions for long-term care facilities in response to outbreaks of infectious disease.

This bill requires long-term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living, etc.) in New Jersey to implement specific infection control measures during declared outbreaks, epidemics, or pandemics. It mandates weekly rapid testing for all staff and immediate testing for symptomatic staff/residents, with facilities (for larger facilities) or county health boards (for smaller facilities) providing free rapid-result testing access. The bill also limits in-person visits to two pre-designated individuals per resident during outbreaks and requires facilities to isolate infected residents in separate rooms. These provisions directly affect facilities, their staff, residents, and visitors during public health emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires infection control measures and free testing in long-term care facilities during outbreaks, strengthening public health protections for vulnerable residents during health crises.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Public Health

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

A 2631: Establishes "Long-Term Care Facility Infectious Disease Preparedness and Home Health Care Study Commission."

This bill establishes the "Long-Term Care Facility Infectious Disease Preparedness and Home Health Care Study Commission" in New Jersey. The commission, composed of 15 members including state officials and industry experts, will analyze how long-term care facilities (like nursing homes and assisted living centers) respond to infectious disease outbreaks and examine ways to encourage home health care services. It must submit a report within 12 months detailing findings on facility preparedness, staffing needs during outbreaks, home health aide retention, and methods to promote home care. The bill does not create new laws but directs a study to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to study long-term care infectious disease preparedness and encourage home health care, aiming to improve facility responses and patient access during outbreaks.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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

A 3057: Requires nursing homes to submit certain cost reports to DOH in annual financial report.

This bill requires New Jersey nursing homes to submit their most recent federal Medicare/Medicaid cost reports as part of their annual financial filings with the Department of Health, due within 90 days after their fiscal year ends. It also mandates detailed ownership disclosures for all owners (revising the prior 10% threshold to any ownership interest) and requires the Department to compile aggregated spending data - without naming specific facilities - into an annual public report published online. The report will include regional and county expenditure totals across categories like staffing and supplies. This amends existing annual reporting rules to add federal cost report requirements and enhance transparency around nursing home ownership and spending.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates nursing homes to submit Medicare/Medicaid cost reports and ownership disclosures, enhancing transparency and oversight of public health program funding.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid Medicare

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

A 3440: Requires health benefits coverage for private duty nursing services.

This bill requires all health insurance plans sold in New Jersey - covering hospital or medical expenses - to include coverage for private duty nursing services. It directly affects insurance companies and policyholders by mandating coverage for nursing care provided in homes, hospitals, or skilled nursing facilities by licensed nurses under a doctor's direction, for individuals needing more continuous care than standard visiting nurses provide. The law specifies coverage must follow the same deductibles and coinsurance as similar services, though insurers may still require prior authorization. This applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, individual policies, and group health plans issued or renewed in New Jersey after the law takes effect.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for private duty nursing, expanding patient access to continuous care under medical direction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Long-Term Care

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

A 4308: Requires DHS to increase home and community-based services under Medicaid.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to shift Medicaid funding toward home and community-based services for eligible residents who currently receive nursing home care. By 2027, DHS must aim for 80% of these individuals to receive services at home or in community settings, with 60% of long-term care funding allocated to these options. By 2029, the target increases to 70% of funding for home and community-based services. The bill also mandates DHS to create a strategic plan to reduce institutionalization, ensure living wages for caregivers with inflation adjustments, and coordinate housing and care services across state agencies. These changes directly affect Medicaid recipients eligible for nursing home care, DHS, healthcare providers, and home care workers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates increased Medicaid funding for home/community-based services, expanding access to care and shifting resources from nursing homes to community settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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

A 2664: Requires biennial inspection of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to conduct biennial (every two years) on-site inspections of all licensed nursing homes and assisted living facilities to ensure compliance with uniform safety and care standards. Within 180 days of the bill's effective date, the Department must establish these standards for facility operations. Inspection reports will be posted online for public access, and the Department may conduct additional reviews as needed. The bill directly affects all licensed nursing homes and assisted living facilities operating in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires biennial inspections to ensure nursing home safety standards, directly protecting patient care quality and facility compliance with healthcare regulations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires biennial inspections to enforce safety standards in nursing homes, directly improving workplace safety for facility workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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