Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2214: Requires certain ultrasounds on pregnant women to be performed by licensed health care professionals.

This bill requires that ultrasounds performed on pregnant women at "limited service pregnancy centers" must be conducted by a licensed health care professional. It directly affects organizations that provide pregnancy counseling or information without performing abortions, making referrals to abortion providers, or being state-licensed medical facilities. The key provision mandates that only individuals licensed under New Jersey's health care statutes (Titles 45 or 52) can perform these ultrasounds at such centers. The bill defines "limited service pregnancy centers" to exclude hospitals, abortion clinics, and family planning clinics that offer medical services or contraception.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates licensed professionals for ultrasounds at pregnancy centers, ensuring medical standards and patient safety in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2107: Prohibits acquisition or disclosure of certain personal health information without consent.

This New Jersey bill (S 2107) requires health care providers, health app developers, and third parties to obtain explicit consent before collecting or sharing residents' biometric data (like heart rate or fingerprints), health data (medical history or payments), or protected health information. It mandates a single initial consent for data acquisition but requires separate consent within three days for each disclosure to another party. Exceptions apply for medical treatment between providers, and the law does not override federal HIPAA protections. The bill was introduced in January 2026 and referred to the Senate Health Committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires explicit consent for health data collection/sharing, directly protecting patient privacy rights per healthcare topic indicators.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires explicit consent for health data collection/disclosure, strengthening privacy protections for tech-driven health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1358: Requires hospitals to provide breast cancer patients with information concerning reconstructive surgery; prohibits certain provisions in managed care plan contracts.

This New Jersey bill (S 1358) requires hospitals treating breast cancer patients to provide written notice about their right to choose any board-certified plastic surgeon for reconstructive surgery - regardless of hospital or insurance network affiliation - along with coverage details under state and federal law. The notice must be given when the diagnosis is confirmed, before surgery consent is obtained. It also prohibits health insurance contracts from blocking doctors from recommending outside surgeons and prevents insurers from denying coverage based solely on a surgeon’s network status. The bill directly affects breast cancer patients, hospitals, and health insurance carriers, focusing on expanding access to reconstructive care options.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to inform breast cancer patients of reconstructive surgery options and prohibits insurance restrictions, expanding patient access and protecting rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2244: Requires private health insurers, SHBP, SEHBP, Medicaid, and NJ FamilyCare to cover wigs under certain circumstances.

This bill requires New Jersey private health insurers, SHBP, SEHBP, Medicaid, and NJ FamilyCare to cover medically necessary wigs. Insurers must pay for wigs prescribed by a dermatologist, oncologist, or physician as part of rehabilitative treatment for a diagnosed illness, condition, or injury. Coverage is limited to one wig every 36 months and must be treated like other durable medical equipment, with no restriction to patients undergoing chemotherapy. It explicitly prohibits insurers from limiting coverage only to cancer patients receiving chemo treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coverage for medically necessary wigs under insurance plans, expanding patient access to rehabilitative treatment equipment as durable medical equipment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3021: Requires hospitals to maintain minimum services when relocating from underserved community.

This bill requires hospitals approved to relocate from an underserved community to maintain minimum services at their original location. Specifically, it mandates that such hospitals keep all required professional departments, inpatient beds, and essential services - those a general acute care hospital must provide under existing rules (N.J.A.C. 8:33-3.1) - under the same license. It applies to hospitals moving from communities meeting strict criteria, including being designated as medically underserved by federal and state standards. The law takes effect immediately and covers relocations approved in the prior 12 months.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hospitals to maintain essential services in underserved communities during relocation, preventing reduced healthcare access and protecting patient needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2844: Requires insurance coverage of diapers when medically necessary.

This bill (S 2844) requires most health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover the cost of diapers when a pediatrician or other medical doctor determines they are medically necessary. It applies to hospital service contracts, medical service contracts, health service contracts, individual health insurance policies, group health plans, health benefits plans, and health maintenance organization contracts. The key provision mandates that insurers provide this coverage without requiring prior approval or other administrative hurdles. This policy change directly affects individuals covered by these insurance plans who need diapers for medical reasons, such as incontinence due to a health condition.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for medically necessary diapers, expanding health insurance benefits for pediatric care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 29: Urges U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to lower recommended colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45.

This concurrent resolution (SCR 29) urges the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to lower its recommended colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45 for people with average cancer risk. It cites CDC data showing rising colorectal cancer rates among younger adults (including those born in the 1990s being twice as likely to develop colon cancer) and references the American Cancer Society’s updated recommendation that earlier screening reduces deaths. The resolution does not change current guidelines but formally requests the Task Force consider this adjustment. It directly addresses the Task Force, an independent panel of medical experts, not individual patients or healthcare providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges lowering colorectal cancer screening age to improve early detection and reduce deaths, aligning with healthcare advancement through preventive care access.95% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SJR 67: Clarifies exception to hearsay rule concerning medical diagnosis or treatment for purposes of providing, continuing, or ending mental health services.

SJR 67 clarifies that statements about a patient's mental health treatment history, symptoms, or condition made during medical care can be used in court to decide on starting, continuing, or stopping mental health services. It updates New Jersey's evidence rules (Rule 803(c)(4)) to explicitly include these decisions under the existing exception for medical diagnosis/treatment statements. This change ensures such statements are admissible without being excluded as hearsay, directly affecting mental health providers and courts handling mental health service decisions. The bill does not create new requirements but removes ambiguity about the admissibility of these statements in legal proceedings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies admissibility of mental health treatment statements in court to support service decisions, aligning with patient rights and mental health service continuity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1774: Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain ambulance transportation services.

This bill sets a minimum $300 payment rate per basic life support emergency ambulance transport under New Jersey's Medicaid program, increasing from the current $58 rate. It also establishes a minimum $8.94 per loaded mile reimbursement for ground ambulance mileage, with annual adjustments tied to the Medicare rate. The changes apply to all Medicaid-covered emergency transports starting July 1, 2024, affecting ambulance providers serving Medicaid patients. The law requires the state to update Medicaid rules and seek federal approval for these reimbursement changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid ambulance reimbursement from $58 to $300 per transport, ensuring adequate funding for emergency services and improving access to care for Medicaid patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1260: Requires health insurance coverage of postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy.

This bill requires most health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover pelvic floor physical therapy during the postpartum period (defined as one year after childbirth). It applies to hospital service contracts, medical service contracts, health service contracts, individual and group health insurance policies, health benefits plans, and state-purchased health plans. The coverage must be provided at the same level as for other medical conditions, without additional restrictions. This directly affects all health insurance providers operating in New Jersey and New Jersey residents seeking postpartum pelvic floor therapy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for postpartum pelvic floor therapy, expanding access to healthcare services without restrictions, aligning with coverage standards for other medical conditions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands health insurance benefits for postpartum care, requiring coverage at same level as other medical conditions, supporting workers' health benefits as part of employment standards.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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