Healthcare

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to survey all antenatal and prenatal care clinics across the state - including those that have closed or reduced services in the past two years - to evaluate maternity care access and quality. The survey will collect data on clinic availability, service gaps (particularly for low- and moderate-income pregnant women), and demographic information about patients, while excluding personal health details. The DOH must analyze the data to identify disparities in care based on income or location and develop strategies to improve access and quality. Within 18 months, the DOH will publish findings online and submit a report to the legislature with recommendations for policy action.

This bill (A2295) updates the definition of "health care professional" in New Jersey's aggravated assault statute to align with the definition in the existing "Health Care Heroes Violence Prevention Act." It specifically clarifies that the term includes licensed health care professionals, volunteers, supportive staff, and employees working at health care facilities during official duties - such as those providing direct patient care. The change ensures consistent legal protection for these workers when they are assaulted while performing their jobs. This is a definitional update, not a new penalty or policy.

This bill amends New Jersey's crime compensation law to allow victims of sexual assault to qualify for compensation from the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) even if they did not report the offense to police. It directly affects victims of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, or related offenses who received forensic medical services through a county sexual assault response team (SART) within nine months of the incident. The key provision removes the requirement for a police report when such medical services were provided, making compensation accessible to those who sought medical care but chose not to report to law enforcement. The change applies to cases where a SART conducted forensic exams, streamlining access to support for unreported sexual offenses.

This bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover continuous glucose monitoring systems prescribed for treating glycogen storage disease, a rare metabolic condition. It applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, individual health insurance policies, group health plans, and health benefits plans. The coverage must be provided at the same level as for other medical conditions, eliminating insurance denials for this specific treatment. This directly affects patients with glycogen storage disease and their insurers, ensuring access to necessary monitoring technology without extra cost barriers.