Healthcare (Children's Health)

This bill establishes a minimum daily reimbursement rate of $950 for pediatric skilled care nursing facilities (SCNFs) participating in New Jersey's Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs. It directly affects facilities providing specialized, long-term care to medically fragile children and youth up to age 21, such as the four currently operating in New Jersey. To qualify for this rate, facilities must comply with state and federal requirements for licensure, patient safety, and care quality. The bill appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund to implement this rate increase and requires the Commissioner of Human Services to seek federal approval for the change.

This bill sets a minimum payment rate for out-of-state hospitals that serve significant numbers of NJ pediatric Medicaid patients. Specifically, hospitals providing care to 10,000+ unique NJ FamilyCare pediatric beneficiaries annually must receive at least 125% of the Medicaid fee-for-service rate from the state where they are licensed. It directly affects qualifying out-of-state hospitals, ensuring they are compensated fairly for services to NJ's pediatric Medicaid enrollees. The change aims to maintain access to care by preventing underpayment that could reduce hospital participation in the program.

S 1066 requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Health to create a public awareness campaign focused on improving maternal and child health outcomes. The campaign will provide accessible information through a state website, including hospital data on cesarean births and breastfeeding rates to help women choose care providers, promote shared decision-making during childbirth, and share resources about breastfeeding, pregnancy discrimination rights, family leave options, and Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women. It specifically directs healthcare providers to document patient birth plans in medical records and encourages the use of high-value care options like midwives and lactation support. The bill aims to ensure equitable access to maternity care information for all women and children across racial and ethnic backgrounds. The campaign must coordinate with existing efforts to avoid duplication.

S 299 establishes New Jersey's Blue Band Program to reduce preventable maternal deaths linked to preeclampsia (a pregnancy condition involving high blood pressure). The bill requires the Department of Health's Office of Maternal and Child Health to implement a program where hospitals and federally qualified health centers provide blue wristbands to pregnant or postpartum individuals identified as at risk for preeclampsia. These visible wristbands alert all healthcare providers across appointments and care settings about the patient's condition, improving coordination during critical postpartum periods. The program includes developing educational materials, tracking participation through annual reports, and aims to reduce maternal mortality by enhancing early detection and follow-up care. It directly affects at-risk pregnant and postpartum individuals in New Jersey, with hospitals voluntarily participating in the initiative.