Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SJR 114: Designates July of each year as "Self-Care Awareness Month" in New Jersey.

This bill designates July of each year as "Self-Care Awareness Month" in New Jersey to promote awareness of healthy lifestyle habits and wellness practices. The resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. The bill defines self-care as making healthy lifestyle choices, practicing good hygiene, monitoring health, and knowing when to seek medical help, while also highlighting potential healthcare cost savings. This is a commemorative measure that raises awareness rather than implementing new regulations or funding programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes self-care awareness and healthy lifestyle habits, encouraging public health initiatives and wellness practices.75% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 3915: Requires nursing homes to provide training to staff in behavioral health issues.

This bill requires nursing homes in New Jersey to provide annual training to direct care staff on behavioral health issues. The training program, which the state health commissioner must establish in consultation with the human services commissioner, covers sensitivity to behavioral health needs, information about depression and other psychiatric disorders, and medication use for treating these conditions. The requirement applies to certified nurse aides, licensed practical nurses, registered professional nurses, and other health care professionals who provide direct care to nursing home residents. Nursing homes must complete this training every year, with the program taking effect seven months after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates nursing home staff training on behavioral health, improving patient care quality and mental health support in healthcare settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3777: Directs Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to grant deferment of New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) student loan payments to new parent.

This bill requires the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to allow eligible NJCLASS loan borrowers to pause their loan payments for 12 weeks after becoming a parent. To qualify, students must submit proof of their child's birth or adoption within 120 days of the event, and the deferment period begins once the authority receives this documentation. During the 12-week pause, borrowers do not need to make payments on the loan principal, and interest will not accumulate on the debt. The measure directly affects current NJCLASS loan holders in New Jersey who have recently had a child through birth or adoption.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides loan payment deferment for new parents, reducing financial burden and supporting educational access for students85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides financial relief to new parents by deferring student loans, indirectly supporting healthcare access during early parenthood when medical and childcare needs are high.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3798: "Listening to Mothers Survey Act"; requires DOH to establish survey to evaluate and improve maternity care access and services.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to create a survey that asks women about their experiences with maternity care services, including how providers treated them and whether their concerns were addressed. The survey would be offered to women receiving care at hospitals, birthing centers, or clinics within 14 to 90 days after pregnancy ends or after completing reproductive care treatments, regardless of whether the pregnancy resulted in a live birth. Collected data would be analyzed to identify care disparities across different racial, cultural, and socioeconomic groups, and the results would be published online while a report with recommendations is submitted to the Legislature within 18 months.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves maternity care access and patient experiences by requiring health surveys to evaluate and enhance services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4642: Clarifies that testosterone therapy is covered treatment under the "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act."

This bill clarifies that testosterone therapy is covered under New Jersey's existing Menopause Coverage Act for women diagnosed with perimenopause or menopause. It requires health insurance plans to provide testosterone therapy to the same extent as other hormonal treatments, even if the FDA has not specifically approved it for these conditions. The legislation also mandates that insurers provide clear information about covered menopause treatments and includes other services like non-hormonal medications, behavioral health care, pelvic floor physical therapy, and bone health treatments. This change directly affects women in New Jersey who use testosterone therapy for menopausal symptoms and the insurance companies that cover their healthcare.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands health insurance coverage for testosterone therapy under menopause treatment, improving patient access to hormonal treatments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 4748: Requires Medicaid coverage for ovulation enhancing drugs and medical services related to administering such drugs for certain beneficiaries experiencing infertility.

This bill requires New Jersey Medicaid to cover ovulation-enhancing drugs and related medical services for certain beneficiaries experiencing infertility. The legislation amends existing Medicaid statutes to explicitly include these fertility treatments under covered medical assistance, subject to federal law and state regulations. It directly affects Medicaid recipients in New Jersey who are seeking fertility treatments through medication administration. The bill does not specify which infertility diagnoses qualify or set limits on the number of treatments covered, leaving those details to be determined by the state Department of Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid coverage to include fertility treatments, improving patient access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 3959: Requires DOBI to review hormone replacement therapy coverage.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Banking and Insurance to conduct a confidential review of how health insurance companies administer hormone replacement therapy coverage under the existing Menopause Coverage Act. The review will examine data on prior authorization and step therapy decisions, as well as whether there has been an overall increase in coverage since the previous law took effect. The department will compile its findings and submit them to the Legislature within six months of the bill becoming effective, after which the review requirement expires.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates review of hormone therapy coverage to improve patient access and evaluate existing protections under Menopause Coverage Act85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 4000: Excludes certain income earned from health promotion or disease prevention work from income eligibility determination under NJ FamilyCare, WFNJ, and NJ SNAP.

This bill changes how New Jersey calculates income eligibility for three assistance programs: NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid), Work First New Jersey, and NJ SNAP. It allows individuals who work as community outreach workers for health promotion or disease prevention programs to exclude their first $5,000 of annual earnings from these income calculations. Community outreach workers are defined as temporary employees of non-profit organizations or health departments who connect community members with health and social services. The bill requires state officials to seek necessary federal approvals to implement these changes and take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill excludes income from health promotion work from eligibility calculations, encouraging participation in public health programs and strengthening healthcare access.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill excludes income from health promotion work from eligibility calculations, effectively increasing net income for community outreach workers and supporting employment in public health sectors.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3825: Establishes "New Jersey Community Health Worker Program" in DOH and certain training programs for community health workers.

This bill creates the New Jersey Community Health Worker Program within the Department of Health to improve access to care in underserved communities. It establishes standardized training and certification for community health workers through colleges and integrates their services into Medicaid reimbursement. The program will begin in Newark and expand statewide within five years, overseen by a director and a nine-member advisory board representing various health and community sectors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes community health worker program to improve access to care in underserved communities, integrates services into Medicaid reimbursement, and provides standardized training.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4799: Requires NJ FamilyCare coverage for healthy food prescriptions for certain enrollees.

This bill requires NJ FamilyCare, New Jersey's public health insurance program, to cover prescriptions for healthy foods for certain enrollees. It defines a food prescription as a written order from a healthcare provider for specific foods to treat diet-related health conditions. The legislation amends existing state laws to establish a program that supports small food retailers and pharmacies in stocking and selling fresh produce and other nutritious items at affordable prices. By covering these food prescriptions, the bill aims to improve access to healthy foods for low-income residents, particularly those in areas with limited grocery options. The changes apply to NJ FamilyCare participants who receive healthcare provider prescriptions for specific healthy foods as part of their treatment plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands health coverage by requiring NJ FamilyCare to cover healthy food prescriptions, improving patient access to nutritious items and supporting diet-related health conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health

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