Healthcare

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

A 2836: Increases resource threshold for certain Medicaid eligibility groups.

This bill (A2836) increases the asset limits for certain New Jersey Medicaid applicants who qualify as "medically needy." It directly affects low-income residents in specific groups, including pregnant women, children under 21, seniors 65+, and blind or disabled adults, who have higher asset thresholds than standard Medicaid applicants. The key change raises the resource standard for households: for households of three or more people, the limit increases by $20,000 per additional person (from $100 previously), setting new caps at $40,000 for one-person households and $60,000 for two-person households. This adjustment aims to align New Jersey's Medicaid eligibility with federal guidelines and expand access for qualifying residents with modest assets. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid asset thresholds for vulnerable groups (pregnant women, children, seniors, disabled), expanding eligibility and access to healthcare coverage for low-income residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

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

A 2645: Requires physician to offer to test patient for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency prior to patient undergoing chemotherapy.

This bill requires New Jersey physicians to offer patients a test for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency (a condition that can cause dangerous reactions to chemotherapy drugs) before starting chemotherapy. It directly affects patients scheduled for chemotherapy in New Jersey, ensuring they can be screened for this specific risk. The bill mandates that all health insurance policies sold in New Jersey must cover one annual test for this deficiency and any related treatment, at the same level as other medical conditions. This applies to individual, group, and other health insurance plans in the state, with coverage required for both the test and prescribed treatments. The goal is to prevent severe adverse reactions by identifying patients at risk before chemotherapy begins.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for preventive chemotherapy screening test, improving patient safety and access to necessary care before treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

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

A 2714: "The Legionnaires' Disease Prevention Act"; establishes grant program for restoration or removal of buildings with compromised water supply systems; appropriates $5 million.

The Legionnaires' Disease Prevention Act establishes a $5 million grant program to help owners of historic buildings (pre-1910 or architecturally significant structures) with compromised water systems cover renovation or removal costs. Grants cover up to 50% of eligible project costs, capped at $5,000 per project. The bill also requires public water systems with over 100 connections to maintain specific disinfectant levels (0.3 mg/L chlorine or 1.0 mg/L chloramine) and develop maintenance plans to prevent Legionella bacteria growth. These measures aim to reduce Legionnaires' disease risks in aging infrastructure while targeting historic properties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents Legionnaires' disease through water system grants, a public health initiative directly protecting community health via infrastructure safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3497: Requires counties to make available voluntary medical identification cards containing relevant patient health information.

This bill requires New Jersey counties to offer residents a voluntary medical ID card program. Residents can choose to include specific health information like blood type, medications, allergies, medical devices, emergency contacts, and treatment restrictions on a photo ID card. Counties may charge only the actual cost of issuing the card, and the information remains confidential with strict penalties for unauthorized disclosure. The program affects all county residents who may benefit from having critical health details accessible during emergencies, without mandating participation or requiring disclosure of any health information.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareImproves emergency patient access to critical health information and protects patient rights through confidential medical ID cards, aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3535: "New Jersey Pharmacy Audit Bill of Rights;" establishes procedures by which entities are required to conduct audits of pharmacies.

This bill establishes clear rules for audits of pharmacies conducted by entities like insurance companies or pharmacy benefit managers. It requires 14 days' notice before an audit, limits audits to 100 prescriptions per audit (and 200 annually), and prohibits recouping costs for simple clerical errors like typos or data entry mistakes. Pharmacies must be given 60 days to address discrepancies found in audits, and audits cannot occur during the first week of any month without consent. The law ensures audits are conducted fairly, with pharmacist oversight for clinical issues, and bans duplicate audits by the same entity within six months.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects pharmacies from unfair audit penalties for clerical errors, ensuring fair treatment in healthcare delivery and preventing cost recouping that could disrupt patient access to medications.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

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

A 3845: Exempts oral healthcare products from sales and use tax.

This bill exempts common oral care products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, and oral irrigators from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It specifically covers items designed to maintain oral health, including powered toothbrushes and interdental brushes, regardless of whether they qualify as over-the-counter drugs. The exemption does not apply to food, dietary supplements, or durable medical equipment. This change aligns with a multistate tax agreement to standardize definitions for tax-exempt products.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts essential oral care products from sales tax, providing direct tax relief to consumers for daily health needs, aligning with fiscal standardization efforts.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts oral care products from tax, lowering costs and improving access to preventive dental health services, aligning with healthcare access indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

Track

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

A 3942: Requires DOH to develop mobile cancer screening program; appropriates $100,000.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create a mobile cancer screening program within 180 days of enactment. The program will use staffed mobile vehicles deployed across the state, each carrying at least one qualified healthcare professional to conduct screenings based on their expertise and available equipment. The state allocates $100,000 from the General Fund to implement this program, with DOH mandated to submit a report on its results and recommendations within two years. The initiative directly affects underserved communities by increasing access to cancer screenings through mobile services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100,000 from General Fund to fund a public health program, directly advancing state budget allocation for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $100k for mobile cancer screening program, expanding public health access and funding preventive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

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

A 3476: Increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for private duty nursing services by $4.

This bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for private duty nursing (PDN) services by $4 per hour. It sets a minimum rate of $65 per hour for registered nurses (up from $61) and $53 per hour for licensed practical nurses (up from $49), applying to both fee-for-service and managed care Medicaid delivery systems. The change directly affects nurses providing in-home PDN services and requires the state to seek federal approval for the rate adjustment. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing services, directly boosting funding for healthcare providers under Medicaid coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3376: Requires biennial inspection of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

This bill (S 3376) requires New Jersey nursing homes and assisted living facilities to undergo inspections every two years. Within 180 days of the law taking effect, the Department of Health must establish uniform care and safety standards for these facilities. The Department will conduct these biennial inspections and post all inspection reports online for public access, ensuring facilities operate according to the new standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires biennial inspections and uniform safety standards for nursing homes, enhancing patient safety and care quality per healthcare policy indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates biennial safety inspections and uniform standards for nursing homes, directly improving workplace safety for healthcare workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

Track

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3675: Authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without individual prescription under certain circumstances; mandates prescription benefits coverage.

This New Jersey bill (A3675, now law as P.L.2025, c.196) allows pharmacists to dispense HIV prevention medicine (PrEP) and emergency HIV treatment (PEP) without individual prescriptions under specific conditions. It directly affects patients seeking HIV prevention or post-exposure treatment, requiring pharmacists to follow strict protocols: verify recent HIV-negative test results, screen for symptoms/contraindications, provide counseling, and notify primary care providers. Pharmacists must complete state-approved training covering medication use and financial assistance programs. The law mandates a 30-60 day supply for PrEP (with limits on frequency) and requires PEP to be dispensed within 72 hours of potential exposure, aligning with federal CDC guidelines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables faster HIV prevention/treatment access via pharmacists without prescriptions, mandates insurance coverage, improving patient access to critical care services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

Track