Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2688: Prohibits mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 as condition of attending public K-12 schools.

This bill prohibits New Jersey state health officials and other government entities from requiring students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of attending public K-12 schools. It directly affects all students and schools in New Jersey's public elementary and secondary education system. The law bans any state requirement for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination to attend school, removing a potential mandate. The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill prohibits mandatory school vaccination (a public health program), restricting a requirement for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination to attend school, directly limiting a healthcare-related mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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

A 4183: Exempts specialty heart hospital from 0.53 percent hospital assessment under certain circumstances.

This bill exempts specialty heart hospitals from paying a 0.53% assessment on their total operating revenue, provided they certify to the Department of Health and Banking and Insurance that they waive direct billing for patient services. The exemption applies specifically to hospitals certified as specialty heart facilities under New Jersey law. Funds collected from the assessment otherwise support the Health Care Subsidy Fund, which finances federally qualified health centers, charity care programs, and other state health initiatives. The policy change directly affects specialty heart hospitals seeking relief from this mandatory payment.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts specialty hospitals from 0.53% tax assessment, reducing revenue for Health Care Subsidy Fund that finances public health programs, defunding essential services.92% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareExemption reduces funds for Health Care Subsidy Fund supporting community health centers and charity care programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1847: Prohibits health care professionals from providing gender-affirming health care services to persons under 21 years of age.

New Jersey's A-1847 prohibits licensed health care professionals (including doctors, nurses, and therapists) from providing gender-affirming medical care - such as hormone therapy or surgery - to individuals under 21 years old. The bill defines these services as medical, surgical, or therapeutic care related to gender identity, excluding mental health or psychiatric services. Violations would result in professional disciplinary action under existing laws. The law takes immediate effect and applies to all covered health care providers statewide.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill prohibits gender-affirming healthcare for under-21s, restricting patient access to specific medical services under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 529: Repeals "Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act."

This bill repeals New Jersey's 2019 "Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act" (P.L.2019, c.59), which allowed terminally ill patients to access physician-assisted medication under strict safeguards. By repealing sections 1-26 of that law, the bill removes the legal exception that previously protected healthcare providers and patients from criminal prosecution under N.J.S.2C:11-6 (aiding suicide) when following the act's procedures. The repeal means aiding suicide would again be punishable as a crime under state law, directly affecting terminally ill patients who could previously seek this option and healthcare providers who followed the repealed act's requirements. The change takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals exception protecting physician-assisted dying from aiding suicide prosecution, expanding criminalization under N.J.S.2C:11-6 and removing legal safeguards.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRepeals law allowing physician-assisted dying, restricting patient access to end-of-life care under New Jersey's medical aid in dying act.95% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3185: Caps noneconomic damages in medical malpractice actions at $250,000.

This bill caps compensation for pain and suffering in medical malpractice cases at $250,000. It applies to lawsuits against health care providers, including doctors, hospitals, nurses, and other licensed medical professionals, for professional negligence. The cap takes effect immediately for all cases filed after the law's enactment, without affecting economic damages like medical bills or lost wages.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareCaps non-economic damages in medical malpractice suits, restricting patient compensation for pain/suffering and limiting full remedies for negligence.90% confidence

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

A 4306: Revises eligibility criteria for adult medical day care services.

This bill revises eligibility requirements for Medicaid-covered adult medical day care services in New Jersey. To qualify, a Medicaid recipient must now need assistance with at least one activity of daily living (like dressing, bathing, or eating), have a physician's recommendation for the service, and provide current medical history and physical exam documentation. The bill defines "adult medical day care" as a community-based program offering health and social support for functionally or cognitively impaired adults during non-24-hour daily sessions. It requires the Human Services Commissioner to implement these changes through necessary state plan amendments. The policy aims to simplify access to community-based care, allowing more eligible individuals to receive services outside institutional settings.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill tightens Medicaid eligibility for medical day care by adding ADL, physician, and documentation requirements, restricting access to services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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

A 4433: Repeals law that revises coverage for certain immunizations and reference to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

This bill repeals a 2025 law (P.L.2025, c.283) that required health insurers, Medicaid, and other health plans to cover recommended immunizations without cost-sharing. The repealed law mandated that New Jersey’s Department of Health consider the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations when setting vaccine coverage rules. By repealing this law, the bill removes the requirement for insurers to cover ACIP-recommended vaccines without patient cost-sharing and eliminates the need for the Department of Health to reference ACIP in its recommendations. The repeal directly affects health insurers, Medicaid, and patients seeking covered immunizations.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRepeals mandate requiring insurers to cover ACIP-recommended vaccines without cost-sharing, restricting access to immunization coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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

ACR 118: Urges Governor to declare public health emergency due to ongoing roll-out of federal law.

ACR 118 is a non-binding resolution urging New Jersey's Governor to declare a public health emergency due to the federal "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (HR1). The resolution claims this federal law includes over $1 trillion in cuts to healthcare and social programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and WIC, which New Jersey relies on to support low-income residents. It also highlights that New Jersey paid approximately $68 billion more in federal taxes than it received in federal aid during the 2024 fiscal year. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create law but formally requests the Governor take action to address these impacts on state residents.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill opposes federal healthcare cuts by urging emergency declaration over HR1's defunding of Medicaid/SNAP/WIC, directly citing program reductions as justification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 845: Restricts establishment of mandates to become vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); establishes reimbursement program to cover certain out-of-pocket costs incurred in obtaining COVID-19 vaccine.

This New Jersey bill prohibits most government entities, schools, and employers from requiring COVID-19 vaccination for the general public. It exempts healthcare workers and others at licensed health facilities who must get vaccinated to work with medically vulnerable patients, maintaining existing exemptions for medical or religious reasons. The bill also creates a state reimbursement program for healthcare workers to cover out-of-pocket vaccine costs not covered by insurance, requiring them to certify the expense causes financial hardship and isn't a standard insurance copay. Eligibility requires verifying costs aren't covered by health benefits, employer coverage, or standard insurance cost-sharing.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts vaccine mandates (public health policy) while offering limited reimbursement for healthcare workers' costs, primarily limiting a healthcare mandate.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prohibits most employers from mandating COVID-19 vaccines, protecting workers' autonomy over medical decisions in employment context.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 878: Prohibits institutions of higher education from requiring students to receive COVID-19 vaccination.

This bill prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from requiring students to receive or provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination for enrollment, class attendance, or participation in institution-sponsored programs. It directly affects all students at higher education institutions within New Jersey. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, removing vaccination requirements as a condition for student access to education and campus activities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves vaccination requirement, expanding access to higher education without barriers to enrollment or campus participation.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRemoves mandatory vaccination requirement, a public health measure, restricting public health initiatives and patient access to campus activities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Public Health

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