Healthcare

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 18, 2026

A 1502: "Patient and Provider Protection Act."

This bill regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and insurance carriers to increase transparency and fairness in prescription drug coverage. It requires carriers and PBMs to establish pharmacy and therapeutics committees with strict conflict-of-interest rules, prohibits commission-based PBM compensation (mandating flat fees instead), and mandates detailed reporting of PBM fees for insurance filings. The law directly affects insurers, PBMs, and pharmacies by changing how drug formularies (approved drug lists) are managed and how PBM costs are calculated and disclosed. Key provisions include banning preferential formulary placement for higher-cost drugs over lower-cost generics/biosimilars and requiring actuarial documentation for PBM compensation. The bill aims to reduce patient cost-sharing and ensure PBM compensation aligns with administrative costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates PBMs/insurers for transparency, fairness in drug coverage, bans commission-based fees, and mandates detailed reporting - directly protects patient access and rights in healthcare.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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

A 2007: Requires certain providers to perform intimate partner violence screenings and all health care professionals to take certain actions to prevent perpetrators of intimate partner violence from obtaining copies of victim's medical record.

This New Jersey bill requires licensed healthcare providers (including doctors, nurses, and midwives) to conduct regular, private screenings for intimate partner violence during patient visits, using evidence-based guidelines. If a provider identifies potential abuse, they must document findings, provide immediate resources for victims (like local support services), and ensure patients can revoke access to their medical records for alleged abusers under federal privacy laws. The bill mandates that healthcare professionals advise victims during the same visit about removing perpetrators from their authorized medical record access list. The state departments of Children and Families and Health must maintain and update a biennial resource list for providers on victim support services. It directly affects healthcare providers and patients experiencing abuse by current or former intimate partners.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects victims by preventing abusers from accessing medical records, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim safety and rights under federal privacy laws.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates healthcare providers to screen for IPV, protect patient records from abusers, and provide resources, strengthening patient safety and rights within healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates medical record privacy protections by requiring providers to prevent abusers from accessing records and allowing victims to revoke access, directly protecting data privacy as part of the technology topic.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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

A 2197: Establishes Women's Menstrual Health Program to identify and assist patients with symptoms related to endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome.

This bill establishes a Women's Menstrual Health Program within New Jersey's Department of Health to identify and assist patients experiencing symptoms related to endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The program requires the Department to provide evidence-based education and training for healthcare providers, emergency staff, and the public on menstrual health screening and care. It also mandates the creation of online resources, including clinical guidelines for screening, referral, and treatment, and public educational materials about these conditions. The program directly affects individuals with symptoms of endometriosis or PCOS, aiming to improve access to appropriate care through standardized resources and provider education.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes state program for menstrual health screening/education for endometriosis/PCOS, directly strengthening patient access and provider training in healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 2199: Requires child abuse reporting hotline maintained by DCPP to provide information on resources available to victims and families.

This bill requires New Jersey's child abuse reporting hotline (maintained by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency) to provide callers with information about available resources for victims and their families. The hotline must now include details about community services such as counseling, parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, in-home support, foster care, and residential care. It directly affects families reporting or experiencing child abuse by connecting them to immediate support options. The policy change amends existing law to ensure victims and families are informed about these resources during hotline interactions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates hotline to provide counseling and substance abuse treatment resources, directly improving access to mental health and healthcare services for child abuse victims.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 2195: Directs DOH to develop guidelines for school districts and institutions of higher education concerning student vaping awareness campaigns.*

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DOE) to create and distribute annual guidelines for school districts and colleges. The guidelines must include research-backed materials on vaping's health risks (lung effects, mental health, comparison to smoking, dangers to pregnant people and children), age-appropriate anti-vaping campaigns, decision-making tools to resist peer pressure, and promotional materials for students from middle school through college. Schools and colleges must use these guidelines to implement campus anti-vaping programs. The DOH and DOE will update the guidelines yearly and post them online with additional resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires DOE/DOH to create anti-vaping guidelines for schools, enhancing student health education programs through research-backed materials and age-appropriate campaigns.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health risk education on vaping's effects, including mental health, to prevent harm and promote student health awareness.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 2205: Requires signs to be posted in emergency rooms regarding VCCO.

Bill A 2205 requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Health (working with the Attorney General) to create clear, easily understandable signs for emergency rooms. These signs must display VCCO services/benefits, contact details, and how to file a compensation claim. The bill mandates posting these signs in all general hospital emergency departments and satellite emergency departments, with electronic displays permitted. It aims to make VCCO information more accessible to individuals who may qualify for victim compensation after crimes. The bill takes effect four months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates accessible victim compensation info in ERs, supporting victims' rights and services within criminal justice system, aligning with reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires ER signs for VCCO benefits access, improving patient awareness of healthcare-related compensation services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates clear signage for VCCO (workers' compensation) benefits access, ensuring workers can easily file claims - directly supporting workers' compensation rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 1205: Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities to create and distribute satisfaction survey.

This bill requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities to create and distribute a client satisfaction survey to individuals using support coordination services. The survey will rate agencies on a 1-5 star scale based on client feedback, with results updated quarterly and published online. Support coordination agencies - which help people with developmental disabilities access medical, social, and educational services - are directly affected by this new rating system. The policy mandates transparency in service quality without altering existing support structures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates client satisfaction surveys for agencies providing medical access services, improving service quality and accountability in healthcare support coordination.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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

A 2188: Establishes requirements to evaluate certain people who are pregnant and who have given birth for preeclampsia.

This New Jersey bill (A 2188) requires birthing centers, federally qualified health centers, and healthcare providers offering prenatal or postpartum care (within 12 weeks of birth) to screen patients showing symptoms of high blood pressure during or after pregnancy for preeclampsia. Providers must use evidence-based tools from recognized medical groups, inform patients about symptoms and evaluation benefits, and discuss results - developing treatment plans if preeclampsia is confirmed. The law applies to people who haven’t been previously diagnosed with the condition in the current or recent pregnancy. It aims to standardize early detection and care for a serious postpartum health risk.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates evidence-based preeclampsia screening for pregnant/postpartum patients, improving early detection and treatment access in maternal healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 947: Requires DOH to establish public awareness campaign and develop policies and procedures to promote recognition and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.*

This bill (A 947) requires New Jersey's Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign and develop policies for recognizing and treating perinatal anxiety - a condition affecting approximately 6% of pregnant women and 10% of postpartum women. It mandates that healthcare providers screen all pregnant and postpartum patients for perinatal anxiety during prenatal visits (at least once per trimester), before discharge after birth, and at early postnatal check-ups, using the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) or an approved alternative. Providers must also give patients and their families clear information about symptoms, coping strategies, and treatment resources. The bill directly affects pregnant and postpartum women, their healthcare providers, and birthing facilities across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates perinatal anxiety screenings and policies, expanding access to mental health services for pregnant/postpartum patients.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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