Healthcare in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 819: Requires hospitals and nursing homes to provide access to certain interpreter services for deaf and hard of hearing.

This bill requires all licensed hospitals and nursing homes in New Jersey to provide 24/7 interpreter services for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients. It specifically mandates that services include electronic options like video remote interpreting and AI-assisted interpreting, as approved by the Health Commissioner. The policy directly affects healthcare facilities and ensures patients with hearing disabilities can access care without language barriers. The requirement takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 54: Urges U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reconsider implementation of new rules concerning organ procurement organizations.

This New Jersey Senate Resolution (SR 54) urges the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CMS to reconsider federal rules requiring organ procurement organizations (OPOs) to compete for service areas through bidding and face potential decertification based on performance metrics. The resolution argues these rules could disrupt the national organ donation system by forcing OPOs to bid for their existing geographic areas, increasing administrative burden, and potentially reducing organ transplants - disproportionately impacting racial minorities who already face lower transplant rates. It cites concerns that the rules ignore regional differences in healthcare access and could worsen existing inequities, rather than improving donation rates. As a non-binding resolution, SR 54 does not change policy but formally requests federal agencies delay or revise the CMS rule.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2635: Establishes certain protections for health care professionals who receive behavioral health care and apply for State licensure.

This bill prohibits New Jersey licensing boards from asking healthcare professionals about their past behavioral health care during license applications or renewals, except when assessing current conditions that impair safe practice. It requires boards to limit questions to whether an applicant currently has a condition affecting their ability to work safely, and guarantees that seeking treatment for non-impaired conditions won’t lead to license denial or mandatory treatment requirements. All disclosures about behavioral health care remain confidential, and boards must provide training on handling such information without stigma. The law directly affects licensed health care professionals (including doctors, nurses, dentists, and therapists) applying for or renewing state licenses.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1029: Requires collection of data by health insurers regarding health insurance claims and decisions made using automated utilization management systems.

This bill requires New Jersey health insurers to collect and publicly report detailed data on claims processed through automated systems, directly affecting insurers and their covered patients. Insurers must annually disclose statistics on claim denials (including appeals outcomes and specialty-specific denial patterns), rejection rates by medical reviewers, and average review times on their websites. A key provision penalizes insurers that deny 20% or more of claims without justification by requiring them to refund denied service costs to affected patients. The bill also mandates that medical directors reviewing claims include denial rates and consumer assistance instructions on all denial notices. These requirements aim to increase transparency in automated claim review processes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2672: Requires health insurance carriers and Medicaid to provide coverage for planned home childbirth.

This bill (S 2672) requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey - including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, individual policies, group plans, and health maintenance organizations - to cover planned home childbirth costs. It mandates coverage for services provided by healthcare providers (like midwives, nurses, and doctors), doulas, and necessary medical equipment, at the same level as other covered medical services. The law applies to all insurance contracts issued or renewed in New Jersey after its effective date, regardless of whether premiums can be adjusted. This directly affects insurance companies and Medicaid by expanding coverage options for individuals choosing home births.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Medicaid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1199: Provides gross income tax credit to qualified caregivers for care and support expenses incurred for qualifying relative or individual with disabilities.

S 1199 would create a New Jersey tax credit of up to $2,500 annually for residents who provide care to a qualifying relative (65+ or meeting disability criteria) or to an individual with a documented disability. The credit covers documented expenses like home modifications, medical equipment, in-home care services, and transportation for medical needs. Caregivers must submit receipts, proof of payment, and verification of care to claim the credit, which can be used alongside a dependent tax deduction. Any unused credit reducing tax liability to zero would be refunded as an overpayment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Long-Term Care

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 855: "Michelle's Law"; requires health benefit plans to cover mammogram for an individual if recommended by health care provider.

S 855, "Michelle's Law," requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover mammograms when recommended by a healthcare provider. It mandates coverage for a baseline mammogram at age 40, annual mammograms for women 40 and older, and mammograms for women under 40 with specific risk factors (like family history or dense breast tissue) as determined by their doctor. The law also requires coverage for additional tests like ultrasounds or MRIs after a mammogram if medically necessary due to breast density, abnormal results, or other risk factors. Insurance companies may review the medical necessity of these additional tests but cannot deny coverage for recommended screenings. This applies to all group and individual health insurance plans sold in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1063: Requires DOH to develop interconception care resources to enhance postpartum care for women.

This bill (S 1063) requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to develop interconception care resources for healthcare providers and patients. Specifically, the DOH must create evidence-based clinical algorithms to help providers assess risks and manage complications from previous pregnancies, plus patient education materials explaining common postpartum health issues, treatments, and self-care strategies. The materials must be available in English, Spanish, and other major languages spoken in the state. These resources aim to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce risks in future pregnancies by enhancing postpartum care coordination. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 39: Urges Congress and Department of Veterans Affairs not to reduce funding for ambulance services for veterans.

This Senate Resolution (SR 39) urges Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to maintain current funding levels for ambulance service reimbursements for veterans. It directly affects veterans in New Jersey - 338,012 of whom rely on federal reimbursements to cover ambulance costs averaging $400-$600 per trip. The resolution highlights that proposed funding cuts could create financial barriers for veterans, reduce ambulance services (especially in rural areas with hospital closures), and shift costs to state/local governments without adequate resources. It does not change funding but formally requests federal entities not to reduce existing reimbursement rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Hospitals Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1244: Requires health care professional to order bi-lateral ultrasounds concurrently when ordering mammograms; requires insurers to cover concurrent mammograms and bi-lateral ultrasounds.

This bill requires healthcare providers to order bilateral ultrasounds at the same time as mammograms for eligible patients, and mandates that health insurers cover both tests without additional cost-sharing. It directly affects women receiving mammograms (particularly those with dense breast tissue, abnormal results, or specific risk factors like family history) and insurers providing health coverage. The law amends existing coverage requirements to explicitly include concurrent ultrasound testing alongside mammograms, rather than requiring it as a follow-up. This changes how insurers must cover diagnostic breast cancer screening, ensuring both procedures are paid for as part of a single visit. The bill does not alter who qualifies for mammograms but specifies that ultrasounds must be ordered simultaneously when mammograms are prescribed.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

All healthcare bills