Healthcare in New Jersey

passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 712: Establishes reproductive health travel advisory.

S 712 requires New Jersey's Department of State to create a public "Reproductive Health Travel Advisory" to help residents traveling while pregnant make informed decisions. The advisory will categorize all U.S. states using a color-coded system: "Blue" (full access without legal risk), "Yellow" (restricted access with potential legal consequences), and "Red" (extreme restrictions risking denial of emergency care). It will detail each state's laws on abortion bans, waiting periods, insurance coverage, and legal protections for patients and providers. The advisory must be posted on the state website and updated whenever another state changes its reproductive healthcare laws. This directly affects New Jersey residents who may need to travel during pregnancy for medical emergencies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 378: Provides that pharmacy benefits managers have fiduciary duty to financial interests of covered persons.

This bill requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to prioritize the financial interests of patients (covered persons) above those of health insurers. Specifically, PBMs must act as fiduciaries for patients' costs, ensuring they aren't charged more at the pharmacy than the cost-sharing amount or the cash price for the same medication without insurance. The law also prohibits PBMs from requiring patients to pay extra beyond these limits and mandates good-faith dealings with both patients and pharmacies. It applies to all health plans in New Jersey, including state programs and self-insured employer plans.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1474: Establishes EMS part of PERS; provides enhanced benefits for emergency medical service employees.

This bill establishes a new "EMS Part" within New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) specifically for emergency medical services (EMS) employees, making membership mandatory for all qualifying workers. It sets a 10% salary contribution rate for members and provides enhanced retirement benefits: 50% of final salary for those with 20+ years of service, plus additional payments for service beyond 20 years (up to 25), and 65% of final salary plus 1% per year over 25 (up to 30) for resigning employees with 25+ years. Existing retirement service credit for EMS employees transfers to the new EMS Part without additional cost. The bill directly affects EMTs, paramedics, nurses, and other certified EMS personnel as defined by the legislation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Tags Public Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2697: Establishes "University Hospital Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act"; makes appropriation.

This bill establishes a 5-year "University Hospital Medical Cannabis Pilot Program" at University Hospital in New Jersey to provide medical cannabis treatment to eligible patients who are authorized by healthcare providers and registered with the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. The program requires the hospital to conduct clinical research on cannabis efficacy, create patient advisory councils, partner with academic institutions, and integrate telehealth services for patient monitoring and care. It mandates annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on program effectiveness, including recommendations for potential expansion, and appropriates state funds to cover implementation costs. The pilot aims to evaluate treatment outcomes, reduce stigma, and generate evidence to inform future healthcare policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Appropriations Hospitals Telehealth

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1077: Establishes "Incarcerated Women's Protection Act" and concerns correctional facility board of trustees.

S 1077, the "Incarcerated Women's Protection Act," requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections to implement gender-responsive policies for female inmates. It establishes a Division of Women's Services to address specific needs like trauma treatment, parenting support, and child reunification, while mandating doula services for pregnant incarcerated women and specialized training for staff on gender-responsive practices. The bill also creates a Prison Rape Elimination Act Compliance Unit and a Special Victim's Unit to investigate sexual misconduct allegations. These provisions directly affect all women incarcerated in New Jersey state facilities and their correctional staff. (Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into P.L.2025, c.305.)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections

passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 3023: Provides certain protections to residents of long-term care facilities and long-term acute care hospitals.

S 3023 protects residents of long-term care facilities (like nursing homes and assisted living facilities) and long-term acute care hospitals by preventing facility staff, owners, or financially benefiting parties from managing residents' finances or serving as their legal representatives. It requires facilities to use standardized admission forms developed by the Department of Health, with input from stakeholders, and prohibits residents from signing non-standard documents during admission. The bill also gives residents a legal right to sue if facilities violate these protections, allowing recovery of damages, attorney fees, and punitive penalties for financial exploitation. These changes directly affect residents, their families, and facility operators by creating new safeguards against financial abuse during admission and care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Substance Abuse

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1265: Provides for Medicaid coverage of certain home blood pressure monitors and cuffs for pregnant persons at risk for preeclampsia.

This bill (S 1265) adds coverage for home blood pressure monitors and cuffs under New Jersey's Medicaid program for pregnant individuals at risk of preeclampsia - a serious pregnancy condition involving high blood pressure. It directly affects low-income pregnant people who qualify for Medicaid and are identified as having elevated preeclampsia risk. The bill amends existing Medicaid rules to include these devices within "comprehensive maternity care," ensuring they are covered as part of standard prenatal services. This change requires the state to pay for the devices, reducing out-of-pocket costs for at-risk pregnant patients. The policy change specifically targets preventive monitoring to improve maternal health outcomes during pregnancy.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid Women's Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3170: Makes certain changes related to application and licensing for sale of cannabis, Cannabis Regulatory Commission activity, municipal ordinances, and alternative treatment centers.

This bill (S 3170) changes New Jersey's medical cannabis permit application process. It requires the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to issue new medical cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, and dispensary permits, with at least one permit in each of the state's three regions (north, central, south). The bill establishes "conditional permits" for new applicants (making up at least one-third of all permits), requiring proof of New Jersey residency for two years, income limits ($200,000 individual/$400,000 joint), background checks, and restrictions on financial ties to other cannabis businesses. These changes directly affect new medical cannabis businesses applying for permits in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1983: Directs DOLWD to establish advertising campaign to attract candidates to health care professions; appropriates $1 million.

New Jersey's S 1983 requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to create a multimedia advertising campaign promoting healthcare careers as engaging and rewarding, with specific focus on available scholarships and financial support. The campaign must target underrepresented racial groups and high-demand healthcare fields, using digital, TV, radio, and print media. The bill appropriates $1 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to implement this initiative, which directly affects healthcare job seekers and employers facing workforce shortages.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 598: Requires health insurance coverage for certain neurological diseases.

New Jersey bill S 598 requires health insurance plans to cover diagnosis and treatment for two specific pediatric neurological conditions: PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). The bill mandates coverage for treatments including antibiotics, behavioral therapies, immunomodulating medicines, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG), provided by a treating physician. Insurance plans must cover these expenses "to the same extent as for any other condition," applying to hospital service, medical service, health service, individual, group, and health benefits plans. This directly affects patients diagnosed with PANDAS or PANS and all health insurance providers operating in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals Insurance

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