Healthcare in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4188: Requires SHBP, SEHBP, and NJ FamilyCare to cover kidney disease education services; Requires DOH to develop policies and procedures regarding kidney disease education services.

This bill mandates that New Jersey's state health insurance programs, including SHBP, SEHBP, and NJ FamilyCare, cover specific education services for individuals with kidney disease who need dialysis or a transplant. Under the legislation, the Department of Health must first create detailed rules outlining how these services should be delivered, which will include verbal counseling on managing other health conditions, preventing complications, and understanding different treatment options. The covered education must be provided by a healthcare professional before a patient's appointment and must ensure the patient has the opportunity to actively participate in choosing their treatment path.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 11, 2026

A 5059: Establishes crime of fertility fraud.

This New Jersey bill creates a new crime called fertility fraud, which specifically targets licensed health care practitioners who knowingly use a patient's reproductive material without their written consent. Under the law, a practitioner commits this offense if they use their own sperm or eggs or the material of another person to cause a pregnancy without the patient's informed agreement. If convicted of this third-degree crime, the individual faces up to five years in prison, a fine of $15,000, and the mandatory permanent revocation of their medical license. Additionally, the legislation extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting this specific offense to 20 years from the date of the treatment or 10 years from when the victim discovers the fraud, whichever is later.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Medical Licensing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4335: Prohibits surcharge on transportation network company riders for certain paratransit service.

This bill prohibits transportation network companies, such as ride-sharing apps, from charging the standard $0.50 surcharge on trips designated as paratransit service. It directly affects riders who use these apps for specialized transportation needs, including those with disabilities, seniors, and Medicaid beneficiaries, by exempting their prearranged rides from the fee. The legislation also clarifies that companies are not personally liable for these specific paratransit rides. By removing this financial barrier, the bill ensures that essential accessible transportation remains affordable for eligible users.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Medicaid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4122: Requires health insurance coverage for coronary artery calcium screening under certain circumstances.

This New Jersey bill requires most private health insurance plans to cover coronary artery calcium screening tests for eligible members. The screening is mandated for individuals aged 45 and older or those identified by a doctor as having an intermediate risk of heart disease based on standard medical calculations. Insurance companies must provide this coverage every five years, though doctors can recommend more frequent tests if a patient has specific underlying health conditions. The rule applies to hospital, medical, and health service corporations as well as individual policies issued or renewed in the state after the law takes effect.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4916: Requires health insurers to cover colorectal cancer screenings for covered persons aged 33 or over and covered persons under the age of 33 if deemed medically necessary.

This New Jersey bill requires health insurers to cover colorectal cancer screenings for all covered individuals aged 33 and older, as well as for those under 33 if their doctor deems it medically necessary. The law mandates that these screenings follow the most recent guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force and must be provided without any deductibles, copayments, or other out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, the bill ensures that if a non-colonoscopy screening test returns a positive result, the subsequent colonoscopy is also fully covered. These changes apply to various types of health insurance contracts issued or renewed in the state after the act becomes effective.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 5087: Establishes all-payer claims database.

This bill directs the New Jersey Department of Health to create an all-payer claims database that collects and stores health insurance data from various payers and providers. The database will include information on medical, prescription, dental, and vision claims, along with provider details and enrollment status, while excluding certain plans like Medicare supplements and workers' compensation. Covered entities such as insurance companies, hospitals, pharmacies, and third-party administrators must submit this data, except for self-insured plans governed by federal law. The Department is tasked with securely managing the data, auditing submissions for accuracy, and publishing reports on a public dashboard to improve transparency.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 28, 2026

A 5140: Establishes Task Force on Development and Implementation of Multi-Sector Plan on Aging.

This bill creates a new Task Force within the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for aging in New Jersey. The group will consist of 27 members, including state officials, medical experts, and community representatives appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. Its main job is to coordinate public and private resources to better support the needs of the state's growing population of older adults. The task force will meet at least three times a year to provide advice to government agencies and conduct necessary research.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Tags Seniors

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5186: Establishes County-Based School Security Pilot Program in DOE; appropriates $15 million.

This bill creates a three-year pilot program in Essex, Mercer, and Camden counties to enhance school safety and student mental health support. The initiative provides $15 million in funding to deliver clinical mental health services, such as counseling and crisis intervention, alongside security upgrades like active shooter training and protective equipment. Implementation requires collaboration between the Department of Education and other state agencies, with district selection based on reported violence and bullying data. At the end of the pilot period, the Commissioner of Education must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature to evaluate the program's effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4291: Establishes process to judicially appoint receiver to administer closed hospital.

This bill creates a legal process in New Jersey to quickly appoint a court-appointed receiver to take over a hospital that closes or stops essential services without following the required state approval rules. It directly affects the state Department of Health, city governments, and hospitals by giving them the authority to sue in court within three days to stop an unauthorized shutdown. If the court agrees that immediate action is needed, it can assign a neutral third party to manage the hospital's operations and ensure patient care continues while the situation is resolved. The law also requires that the person appointed to run the hospital cannot have any financial stake in the facility to prevent conflicts of interest.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

AR 135: Urges Congress to pass "Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025."

This New Jersey Assembly resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass the "Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025," which would address healthcare needs for women veterans experiencing menopause symptoms. The proposed federal law would require the Government Accountability Office to study current Veterans Affairs medical services for this demographic and mandate improvements to access and quality of care. The bill specifically targets the approximately 630,000 women veterans aged 40 to 54 who may face compounded health challenges due to military service and hormonal changes. As a formal request rather than binding legislation, the resolution directs copies to federal leaders and the VA Secretary to advocate for these policy changes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare

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