Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 438: Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services.

This bill establishes a new minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. It requires these rates to match the average reimbursement for Day Habilitation Services (Tiers D and E) under the Division of Developmental Disabilities program, raising payments from $3.65 to $9.09 per 15-minute service unit. The policy directly affects approved brain injury service providers and beneficiaries receiving structured day care for traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries. It expands existing Medicaid reimbursement rules, which previously only covered community residential services for brain injury care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rate for brain injury services from $3.65 to $9.09/unit, directly boosting funding for healthcare providers serving beneficiaries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 1227: Establishes Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program; appropriates $3 million.

This bill establishes the Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services, appropriating $3 million to fund confidential mental health services. It directly affects law enforcement officers and their family members (defined as spouses, domestic partners, children, or parents living in the same household) experiencing mental health crises or suicidal distress. The program awards grants to licensed mental health providers who meet geographic criteria to ensure services are accessible within a one-hour travel distance. The Commissioner of Human Services will manage applications, select providers, and publish a list of approved services online, aiming to reduce stigma and improve access to care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds confidential mental health services for law enforcement officers and families, addressing officer well-being and crisis prevention within criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds confidential mental health services for law enforcement officers and families via $3M grant program, directly expanding access to mental health care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2519: Requires certain doctors and nurses to ask patients questions regarding menstrual cycles, previous tampon use, and toxic shock syndrome.

This bill requires doctors and nurse practitioners specializing in family medicine, obstetrics, or gynecology to ask female patients with flu-like or stomach symptoms specific questions about their menstrual cycle and tampon use. Providers must inquire about active menstrual cycles, recent tampon use, and whether symptoms began during or after tampon use. They must also inform patients about toxic shock syndrome symptoms and offer testing if symptoms align with menstrual cycle timing and tampon use. The law directly affects female patients seeking care for influenza-like or gastroenteritis symptoms in these medical specialties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires providers to screen for TSS, inform patients, and enable early detection, enhancing patient safety and care quality in reproductive health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1629: Expressly allows health care professionals located outside New Jersey to provide services using telemedicine and telehealth to patients in New Jersey.

S 1629 allows health care professionals based outside New Jersey to provide telemedicine and telehealth services to patients in New Jersey, provided they hold a valid New Jersey license. The bill requires these out-of-state providers to follow New Jersey's standard of care, maintain proper patient records, and use interactive video technology for most services (with limited exceptions for asynchronous communication). It specifically permits prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances only after an initial in-person exam, except for minors with parental consent. This policy directly affects out-of-state health care providers seeking to serve NJ patients and expands access to telehealth services within the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows out-of-state telehealth providers to serve NJ patients with state licensing, expanding access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 770: Requires DOH to create best practices manual for maternity care; appropriates $950,000.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to create a best practices manual for prenatal and postpartum care, which all hospitals and maternity care facilities must adopt as a condition of licensure. The manual must include specific standards like emergency response teams, patient screenings, treatment guidelines, and reporting protocols for complications. It appropriates $950,000 from the state general fund to fund this manual's development and implementation. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities providing maternity services by mandating adherence to these new standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $950,000 from state general fund to fund a new health program, directly increasing public service funding per budget & taxes indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $950k to mandate best practices manual for maternity care, requiring hospitals to adopt standards for emergency response, screenings, and protocols, improving maternal health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medical Licensing Women's Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SJR 27: Permanently designates last week in February as "Eating Disorders Awareness Week" in New Jersey.

This resolution permanently designates the last week in February as "Eating Disorders Awareness Week" in New Jersey. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to encourage public recognition of eating disorders and promote early intervention and treatment access. The bill directs the state to send copies of the resolution to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) for their awareness efforts. The measure aims to raise public awareness about eating disorders, which affect millions, and support those seeking help.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDesignates Eating Disorders Awareness Week to promote early intervention and treatment access, aligning with mental health service support and patient access indicators.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 165: Requires DHS to establish two-year Regional Community Behavioral Health Pilot Program.

S 165 establishes a two-year Regional Community Behavioral Health Pilot Program to improve care coordination for individuals with severe mental health or substance use disorders. The bill requires New Jersey’s Department of Human Services to partner with managed care organizations to identify eligible patients through Medicaid data and connect them with community behavioral health providers. Key mechanisms include standardized needs assessments, "rapid referrals" to appropriate care within 48 hours, "warm hand-offs" between providers, and "supportive contacts" (like texts or calls) to help patients stay engaged in treatment. The program aims to create region-specific coordinated care systems across northern, central, and southern New Jersey, with participating providers using these tools to reduce gaps in behavioral health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes pilot program to improve mental health care coordination via Medicaid partnerships and rapid referrals for severe disorders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1093: Authorizes provision of adult day health services on remote basis.

This bill allows licensed adult day health facilities in New Jersey to provide their full range of services remotely to enrolled individuals who cannot or will not attend in person. It requires facilities to offer all in-person services remotely if safe and effective, including telehealth wellness checks (screening for food insecurity, medication needs, health status), access to health professionals (nursing, therapy, social work), meal delivery, activity materials, and medical appointment coordination. Remote services must be billed at the same rate as in-person services with proper documentation, and facilities cannot exceed their authorized capacity. The bill formalizes remote service authorization that was temporarily allowed during the pandemic to address barriers like health concerns, transportation issues, or social distancing needs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables remote delivery of adult day health services, improving access for patients unable to attend in person, aligning with healthcare access expansion indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 545: Requires health benefits coverage of hearing aids for all ages.

This bill requires most health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover medically necessary hearing aids for children under 15 years old. It applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, individual policies, and group health plans. Key provisions include coverage for hearing aids for each ear when prescribed by a doctor or audiologist, a $1,000 annual benefit limit per hearing aid per ear, and allowing patients to pay extra for more expensive devices without penalty to providers. The bill does not extend coverage to adults, despite its title suggesting "all ages."

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for hearing aids for children under 15, expanding access to medical services and aligning with healthcare coverage expansion indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 297: Establishes 60-day special enrollment period to initiate when provider in carrier's network of providers is leaving carrier's network.

This bill requires health insurance carriers in New Jersey to create a 60-day special enrollment period when a provider leaves their network. It directly affects insured individuals who would lose access to their current healthcare providers due to a network change. The special period begins 60 days before the carrier-provider contract expires, giving enrollees time to switch plans. The Department of Banking and Insurance will determine how carriers notify affected individuals about this window. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures continuous access to healthcare providers by mandating a 60-day special enrollment period when providers leave networks, directly improving patient access and protecting provider-patient relationships.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track