Healthcare (Women's Health)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1991: Requires DOH to conduct survey on status of antenatal and prenatal care clinics in New Jersey.

New Jersey's S 1991 requires the Department of Health (DOH) to survey all antenatal and prenatal care clinics - including those that closed within the past two years - to evaluate maternity care access statewide. The survey collects data on clinic locations, service availability, patient demographics (especially low- and moderate-income pregnant women), and socioeconomic factors affecting care. DOH must analyze this data to identify disparities in care access, develop improvement strategies, and publish findings on its website within 18 months. The bill mandates a legislative report with recommendations but prohibits sharing personal health information. This data-gathering measure aims to inform future policy decisions on clinic services and funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates survey to evaluate prenatal care access, identify disparities, and develop improvement strategies for vulnerable populations, directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2262: Requires affirmative written consent for certain entities to disclose individual's medical information regarding reproductive health care services, with limited exceptions, unless disclosure is necessary to provide those services.

This bill (S 2262) requires health care providers and insurers to obtain a patient’s explicit written consent before sharing medical records related to reproductive health care services - including pregnancy, contraception, or abortion care - with anyone outside the care team, unless specific exceptions apply. Patients must be informed of their right to withhold consent before receiving care or when sharing information about past services. Limited exceptions allow disclosure during medical emergencies, for legal compliance (like court orders), to protect against liability claims, or for investigations into abuse. Violations could trigger $1,000 penalties per incident, but the law explicitly preserves existing HIPAA protections.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires patient consent for reproductive health data disclosure, protecting privacy rights and patient autonomy in healthcare access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2998: Clarifies coverage requirements for health insurers of over-the-counter contraceptive drugs.

This New Jersey bill (S 2998) requires health insurers to cover all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and related services without cost-sharing. It specifically mandates no deductibles, copays, or prior authorization for over-the-counter contraceptives at the point of sale, while also covering prescription options and related services like counseling and device insertion. The law applies to all hospital and medical service corporations offering health insurance in New Jersey, directly affecting subscribers who use contraception. Insurers must cover these services at the same level as other preventive care, with no medical necessity review needed for over-the-counter products.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no cost-sharing for FDA-approved contraceptives, expanding access to essential health services without financial barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2264: Provides for voluntary contributions for taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support reproductive health care services.

S 2264 establishes the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Care Equitable Access Fund" within the state Treasury. Taxpayers can voluntarily add a contribution to their New Jersey gross income tax return to support this fund, with net contributions (after administrative costs) deposited into it. The Legislature would annually allocate all funds in the account equally to the three largest Medicaid reproductive health care providers in the state, requiring them to use the money to provide services (including pregnancy-related care and pregnancy termination) to low-income individuals who cannot afford them. The bill defines "reproductive health care services" broadly to cover medical, surgical, counseling, and referral services related to the human reproductive system. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Health Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesVoluntary tax contributions fund reproductive health care services via state Treasury, directing tax revenue to public health programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates fund to allocate tax contributions to reproductive health care providers, directly funding healthcare services per bill's purpose and allocation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Medicaid Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2259: Codifies authority for certain health care providers to provide abortions and clarifies certain operational requirements for abortion facilities.

S 2259 codifies existing regulations that allow a broader range of healthcare providers (including nurse practitioners and physician assistants trained since 2021) to perform abortions in New Jersey, while removing medically unnecessary facility requirements. The bill directly affects abortion providers and patients by eliminating outdated rules that increased costs and created barriers to care. Key provisions include updating statutory language to reflect current practices, removing facility requirements that don’t improve patient health, and ensuring consistent access to abortion services. This legislation secures existing access without expanding new provider types, focusing on streamlining current operational standards. The bill aims to make reproductive healthcare more affordable and accessible within New Jersey communities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands abortion access by allowing more providers and removing unnecessary facility barriers, directly improving patient access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Women's Health

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 712: Establishes reproductive health travel advisory.

S 712 requires New Jersey's Department of State to create a public "Reproductive Health Travel Advisory" to help residents traveling while pregnant make informed decisions. The advisory will categorize all U.S. states using a color-coded system: "Blue" (full access without legal risk), "Yellow" (restricted access with potential legal consequences), and "Red" (extreme restrictions risking denial of emergency care). It will detail each state's laws on abortion bans, waiting periods, insurance coverage, and legal protections for patients and providers. The advisory must be posted on the state website and updated whenever another state changes its reproductive healthcare laws. This directly affects New Jersey residents who may need to travel during pregnancy for medical emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides reproductive health travel advisory to help residents make informed decisions about healthcare access during travel, supporting patient access to reproductive health information and services.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1265: Provides for Medicaid coverage of certain home blood pressure monitors and cuffs for pregnant persons at risk for preeclampsia.

This bill (S 1265) adds coverage for home blood pressure monitors and cuffs under New Jersey's Medicaid program for pregnant individuals at risk of preeclampsia - a serious pregnancy condition involving high blood pressure. It directly affects low-income pregnant people who qualify for Medicaid and are identified as having elevated preeclampsia risk. The bill amends existing Medicaid rules to include these devices within "comprehensive maternity care," ensuring they are covered as part of standard prenatal services. This change requires the state to pay for the devices, reducing out-of-pocket costs for at-risk pregnant patients. The policy change specifically targets preventive monitoring to improve maternal health outcomes during pregnancy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for home blood pressure monitors for high-risk pregnant patients, improving access to preventive care for preeclampsia management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1979: Requires parents and guardians be provided access to medical records of minor patients; provides immunity to health care facilities and professionals that provide access to records.

This bill (S 1979) requires healthcare providers in New Jersey to give parents or guardians access to minor patients' medical records related to reproductive health services (such as pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion), unless the minor objects. It applies specifically to services legal under New Jersey law and protects healthcare facilities and professionals from liability when providing this access. The law clarifies that parental access does not require written consent from the minor for these services, while maintaining existing privacy rules for other medical information. It directly affects parents/guardians of minors seeking reproductive health care and healthcare providers who serve them.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates parental access to minors' reproductive health records (legal in NJ), improving transparency and patient rights while protecting providers from liability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2203: Requires DOC to provide prenatal and post-partum education and services for certain inmates.

S 2203 requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections (DOC) to provide prenatal and post-partum services to pregnant female inmates under age 60. Upon entry to a correctional facility, all such inmates must be tested for pregnancy, and if confirmed, they would receive mandatory prenatal education, medical evaluations, nutritional counseling, and counseling on pregnancy options (including family planning, birth control, and child placement). The bill also mandates ongoing care for those continuing pregnancies, including obstetrical services, maternity clothing, adjusted housing, and reduced work schedules as medically needed. This bill, introduced in January 2026 and pending committee review, directly affects incarcerated pregnant women in New Jersey state facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates DOC prenatal/postpartum services for incarcerated women, improving correctional healthcare and supporting rehabilitation - aligns with criminal justice reform goals.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates prenatal/postpartum medical services for incarcerated women, expanding access to essential healthcare within correctional facilities per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1820: Allows remote patient monitoring of pregnant patients; requires reimbursement for remote patient monitoring rendered to certain Medicaid beneficiaries.

This bill requires New Jersey Medicaid to reimburse healthcare providers for remote patient monitoring services used with pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries who cannot receive in-person care. It defines remote monitoring as securely collecting health data (like blood pressure, glucose levels, or weight) through digital tools and transmitting it to providers. The law directly affects pregnant Medicaid patients and their healthcare providers by mandating coverage for these services when medically necessary. This creates a concrete policy change by expanding Medicaid reimbursement to include this technology-based care for a specific vulnerable group.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid reimbursement for remote monitoring services, expanding coverage and improving access for pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries requiring remote care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Telehealth Women's Health

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