Healthcare (Long-Term Care) in New Jersey

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

A 2248: Requires DHS and DOH to conduct study on projected impact of federal Medicaid funding cuts.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services and Department of Health to jointly study how federal Medicaid funding cuts (from H.R.1/Pub.L.119-21) would impact the state. The study must analyze effects on hospitals, long-term care facilities, transportation providers, Medicaid eligibility, and state/local budgets. The departments must complete the study within 90 days and submit a public report to the Governor and Legislature with findings and recommendations for maintaining Medicaid services. The bill expires once the report is submitted. It is a procedural study mandate, not a policy change.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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

A 731: Provides gross income tax deduction for senior citizens for certain medical expenses for in-home care or care in assisted living and long-term care facilities and funeral expenses.

This bill allows New Jersey taxpayers aged 62 or older, or who are blind or disabled, to claim a gross income tax deduction for qualified long-term care expenses (up to $50,000 per year) for themselves, their spouse, or disabled dependents. These expenses cover in-home care, assisted living, and long-term care facility services that are medically necessary and prescribed by a licensed health care provider. It also provides a separate deduction (up to $50,000) for unreimbursed funeral expenses of a spouse or disabled dependent who was 62 or older, blind, or disabled at death. The deduction excludes expenses already covered under existing medical expense tax rules and requires the costs to be unreimbursed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Income Tax Long-Term Care

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

A 2728: Requires State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to assign paid or volunteer advocates to long-term care facilities; makes appropriation.

This bill requires New Jersey's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to assign paid or volunteer advocates to work directly at long-term care facilities. These advocates must conduct in-person visits with residents to help address their financial, health, legal, and social needs. The bill mandates an appropriation from the General Fund to cover the costs of these assigned advocates. It directly affects residents of long-term care facilities by ensuring they have on-site support to advocate for their needs. The policy change is a concrete requirement for the ombudsman's office to implement, funded by the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Long-Term Care

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

A 1484: Provides gross income tax credit to certain taxpayers who pay for certain in-home services through health care service firm.

This New Jersey bill provides a 20% refundable tax credit for eligible residents who pay for in-home care services through a health care service firm. It directly affects taxpayers with gross income under $150,000 who are permanently disabled or age 65+, covering expenses for companion services (non-medical supervision/socialization), health care services (non-licensed), or personal care services (assisting with daily activities like bathing or dressing). The credit excludes insurance-reimbursed costs and applies against income tax after other credits. It takes effect for taxable years starting after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Long-Term Care

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

A 545: Requires long-term care facilities to stock and provide COVID-19 antiviral treatments to residents.

This bill (A 545) requires New Jersey nursing homes and assisted living residences to maintain an on-site supply of COVID-19 antiviral treatments and provide them to residents who test positive for COVID-19 and show symptoms. It directly affects licensed long-term care facilities by mandating immediate stocking and distribution of these treatments. The key provision specifies that facilities must ensure availability and administer antivirals to symptomatic, positive residents without delay. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment but is currently pending in the Assembly Health Infrastructure Committee.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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

A 3944: Revises requirements for assessing nursing home health, safety, and operations and for taking action against low-performing nursing homes.

This New Jersey bill (A3944) creates new performance standards for nursing homes, directly affecting facilities that receive federal one-star ratings or fail to meet metrics in three key areas: resident physical health (e.g., bedsores, falls), mental well-being (e.g., medication use, depression), and operational factors (e.g., staff turnover, vaccination rates). It establishes a tiered response system: a warning for first failures, sanctions like restricting Medicaid admissions for repeated failures, and severe penalties including removing Medicaid residents or suspending payments for persistent underperformance. Nursing homes failing standards in three of four consecutive quarters must submit a 18-month improvement plan for state review. The bill aims to strengthen accountability for nursing home quality without specifying expected outcomes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid Public Health

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

A 2471: Requires long-term care facilities to develop person-centered care plans for residents and establishes right to certain forms of visitation for long-term care residents.

This bill requires New Jersey long-term care facilities (like nursing homes and assisted living residences) to let residents or their legal representatives designate at least two "essential caregivers" during emergencies, outbreaks, or pandemics. Essential caregivers can be family, friends, or spiritual advisors, with no restrictions on who can be chosen, and their visitation rights must match normal in-person visitation times. Facilities must document these designations in residents' care plans, post visitation rights online, and provide written information to residents about the process. The Department of Health will enforce compliance, ensuring facilities don’t impose stricter health protocols on caregivers than on their own staff.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3282: Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for private duty nursing services.

This bill sets minimum hourly Medicaid reimbursement rates for private duty nursing (PDN) services provided in home settings. It requires states to pay at least $60 per hour for registered nurses and $48 per hour for licensed practical nurses - significantly higher than the current maximum rates of $40 and $28. The law directs the state Health Commissioner to apply for federal approval to implement these rates within 180 days and adopt necessary rules. These changes directly affect licensed nurses providing home care and Medicaid beneficiaries relying on these services, aiming to ensure reimbursement covers actual service costs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Medicaid

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

A 615: Establishes minimum Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for pediatric special care nursing facilities.

This bill establishes a minimum daily reimbursement rate of $950 for pediatric skilled care nursing facilities (SCNFs) participating in New Jersey's Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare programs. It directly affects four facilities providing specialized long-term care to medically fragile children and youth up to age 21: the Pediatric Long Term Care Center (Mountainside/Toms River), Phoenix Center (Haskell), and Voorhees Pediatric Facility. Facilities must comply with state/federal licensure, safety, and quality standards to qualify for this rate. The bill appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund to cover this reimbursement increase.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics State Budget Children's Health Long-Term Care Medicaid

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

A 554: Establishes "New Jersey Pandemic Bill of Rights for the Welfare of the People."

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Pandemic Bill of Rights for the Welfare of Individuals," granting specific protections to all New Jersey residents during pandemics, disease outbreaks, or public health emergencies. It requires health care facilities to safeguard nursing home residents and those with preexisting conditions, ensure proper medical evaluation before discharge, provide adequate care and therapies, allow family visitation, and maintain attorney access as essential services. The Commissioner of Health must publish these rights online, and all health care facilities must post them prominently. The bill directly affects vulnerable populations like nursing home residents and patients in medical facilities, aiming to prevent repeat of issues seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as restricted family access and inadequate care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Public Health

All healthcare bills