This bill increases the percentage of cigarette and tobacco tax revenues dedicated to anti-smoking programs in New Jersey from 1% to 3%. It directs these funds - projected to rise from approximately $5 million to $15 million annually - to the Department of Health for evidence-based tobacco control programs. These programs must align with CDC best practices and focus on preventing youth smoking, reducing secondhand smoke exposure, and promoting cessation, with priority given to Medicaid populations and youth initiatives. The change applies to revenues collected under the Cigarette Tax Act and Tobacco Products Tax Act, effective for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2025.
This bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover community violence prevention services for eligible recipients. It adds these services to Medicaid coverage under existing "preventative and rehabilitative services" (Section 12 of the amended law), directly affecting Medicaid beneficiaries and violence prevention providers. The bill also establishes a state training and certification program for professionals working in violence prevention. This creates a new pathway for Medicaid reimbursement for evidence-based community violence intervention programs. The legislation is currently pending in the Senate Health Committee.
S 249 establishes a three-year oral health pilot program (the "MOM Project") in New Jersey's Department of Health, targeting low-income pregnant women and new mothers who live in medically underserved areas and are not enrolled in Medicaid. The program provides free oral health education (at least three hours covering hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention), followed by one year of dental care including cleanings, risk assessments, and necessary treatments through community health centers. It appropriates $4.15 million to fund outreach, education, and dental services, requiring participating centers to partner with nonprofit maternal health groups to develop personalized treatment plans. The initiative aims to improve oral health outcomes for mothers and infants while collecting data on the program's impact.
S 2943 requires New Jersey's Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) to create an integrated enrollment platform connecting the state's health insurance exchange with the NJ FamilyCare program (which includes Medicaid and CHIP). This directly affects New Jersey residents applying for health coverage through the Individual Health Coverage Program, Small Employer Health Benefits Program, or NJ FamilyCare. The bill mandates DOBI, in coordination with the Department of Human Services, to integrate the exchange with Medicaid eligibility systems so applicants can determine eligibility for all programs through one platform. It also establishes a nine-member advisory committee with health insurance expertise to guide implementation, including consumer advocates and industry representatives.
This bill increases the maximum annual respite care funding limit by 10% for individuals enrolled in NJ FamilyCare who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). It specifically raises the current $6,559.63 annual cap to $7,215.60 for this subgroup, ensuring they receive 10% more respite care services than the standard limit. The policy directly affects eligible New Jersey residents with ICDs who qualify for NJ FamilyCare (the state's Medicaid program). The change modifies existing funding rules under the Statewide Respite Care Program without creating new eligibility criteria or services.
This bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover substance use disorder treatment services provided by community-based organizations (CBOs), directly expanding access for Medicaid recipients. It establishes new standards for opioid treatment programs, including allowing "medication units" (geographically separate clinics or mobile units) to administer medication-assisted treatment like methadone or buprenorphine. The bill also prohibits treatment programs from denying care based on a patient's refusal of counseling or missing doses, and sets limits on mandatory drug screenings. These changes aim to make treatment more accessible while maintaining clinical standards for opioid use disorder care.
This bill, S 1792, creates a funding mechanism to subsidize medical cannabis costs for Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare enrollees. It amends the Cannabis Regulatory Fund to allocate monies specifically for reimbursing dispensaries and clinical registrants who provide discounted or subsidized cannabis to qualifying patients. The key provision requires the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to reimburse these providers for the cost difference between the standard price and the subsidized price paid by enrolled patients. The bill is pending before the Legislature and has not yet been enacted.
This bill (S 797) requires New Jersey Medicaid to cover ovulation-enhancing drugs and related medical services for eligible beneficiaries experiencing infertility. It directly affects low-income New Jersey residents enrolled in Medicaid who face infertility challenges. The key mechanism adds these fertility treatments to Medicaid's list of covered services under "medical care not included in subsection a.(5)," expanding existing coverage categories. The bill specifies coverage for the drugs themselves and associated medical services administered to manage infertility, without detailing specific eligibility thresholds beyond the beneficiary's infertility status.
S 3161 requires New Jersey's Department of Treasury and Department of Human Services to annually report to the Governor and Legislature on funding for two key programs. For NJ FamilyCare (which covers Medicaid and CHIP health coverage for low-income residents), the report must identify available state funds and evaluate care quality, then prioritize the 12 most urgent policy changes needed to fix deficiencies. Similarly, for child care subsidy programs, the report must identify unspent state funds and evaluate service quality, compiling a prioritized list of 12 needed improvements with required funding. The bill mandates these annual reports starting January 1 after enactment, focusing on using existing funds more effectively to improve program quality.
This bill, S 2621, establishes the "Equitable Drug Pricing and Patient Access Act" to set minimum reimbursement rates for pharmacies providing prescription drugs to Medicaid beneficiaries in New Jersey. It mandates that pharmacies receive at least the national average drug acquisition cost plus a $10.92 dispensing fee, regardless of whether services are delivered through Medicaid’s fee-for-service or managed care systems. The bill requires Medicaid managed care organizations to include pharmacy choice as a mandatory benefit, ensuring enrollees can select any qualified pharmacy and preventing exclusion of pharmacies based on cost or other criteria. Additionally, it directs the State Auditor to audit pharmacy pricing practices and fund flows within Medicaid to identify potential state savings.
