Healthcare

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

A 4438: Requires health insurance coverage of prenatal genetic test during first trimester of pregnancy.

This bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover specific prenatal genetic tests during the first trimester of pregnancy. It applies to hospital service, medical service, health service, individual, and group insurance policies issued in the state. Covered tests include carrier screening (a blood or cheek swab test for inherited disorders), nuchal translucency screening, and chorionic villus sampling. Insurance plans must provide this coverage at the same level as other medical conditions, meaning no additional out-of-pocket costs for patients beyond standard coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for prenatal genetic tests, expanding access to essential healthcare services without cost-sharing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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

A 4178: Requires that certain medical education programs give priority to certain applicants.

This bill requires New Jersey teaching hospitals that receive state Medicaid funding for medical training programs to prioritize applicants who are New Jersey residents or enrolled at state-supported medical schools (Cooper, Rowan, Rutgers NJMS, or Rutgers RWJMS) for residency, fellowship, and third/fourth-year clerkship positions. Hospitals failing to comply face a 20% reduction in their Medicaid funding for these programs. The law applies specifically to hospitals licensed under New Jersey's health regulations that accept state funding for graduate medical education. It aims to increase local training opportunities for New Jersey residents and students at public medical schools.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrioritizes NJ residents/students in medical training to strengthen local healthcare workforce, using Medicaid funding as incentive to improve access and provider availability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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

A 2230: Increases income threshold limit for certain Medicaid eligibility groups.

This bill raises the income threshold for Medicaid eligibility under New Jersey's medically needy program from 133.3% to 138% of the federal poverty level. It directly affects pregnant women, children under 21, seniors aged 65+, and blind or disabled individuals who need medical care but have incomes slightly above the previous limit. The key change adjusts the income calculation method used to determine eligibility, allowing more low-income residents to qualify for coverage. This policy update aligns with federal Medicaid guidelines and simplifies the eligibility process for affected groups. The bill amends existing Medicaid statutes without changing program funding or administrative structure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRaises Medicaid income threshold from 133.3% to 138% FPL, expanding coverage for vulnerable groups including pregnant women, children, seniors, and disabled individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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

A 2844: Requires regional diagnostic and treatment center for child abuse and neglect to establish mobile team to respond to certain hospital requests to perform forensic child abuse examinations.

This bill requires New Jersey's four regional child abuse and neglect treatment centers to establish 24/7 mobile teams that respond to hospital requests for forensic examinations of pediatric patients under 13. Hospitals must contact their county's center when a child meets specific criteria: (1) referred by a school nurse, pediatrician, or caregiver for suspected abuse, or (2) presenting injuries inconsistent with their explanation or developmental level. The mobile teams will perform examinations at the hospital, and the state will appropriate funds to support this service. Centers must also develop hospital contact protocols and train staff on abuse identification.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 24/7 mobile teams for forensic child abuse exams, improving access to specialized healthcare services for vulnerable pediatric patients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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

A 3332: Requires Medicaid coverage of social day care services for senior citizens.

This bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover social adult day care services for seniors aged 60 and older who meet the clinical, income, and asset requirements for the state's Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program. It expands current coverage - previously limited to MLTSS enrollees - by mandating Medicaid coverage regardless of MLTSS enrollment. Social adult day care is defined as non-medical, community-based care provided during daytime hours when caregivers are unavailable, designed to support seniors with functional impairments. The bill also requires the state to seek federal Medicaid waivers for funding, with implementation pending federal approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for senior day care services, removing prior MLTSS enrollment requirement to improve access to non-medical care for seniors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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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 & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deduction for seniors' medical expenses, reducing taxable income and offering tax relief for lower-income seniors.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tax deductions for medically necessary senior healthcare expenses, reducing financial barriers and improving access to in-home/long-term care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Long-Term Care

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

A 2864: Establishes "New Jersey Right to Try-Plus Act" permitting terminally ill patients access to certain investigational and off-label treatments.

This bill permits terminally ill New Jersey patients (with a 12-month life expectancy) to access investigational drugs, biological products, or devices (post-phase 1 clinical trials) and FDA-approved treatments used off-label for their condition. Patients must consult with a licensed NJ physician, consider all FDA-approved options first, and provide written consent. Manufacturers may supply these treatments without charge or require patient payment for manufacturing costs, but are not required to provide them. Hospitals must administer FDA-approved drugs off-label upon patient request, and participating physicians receive liability protection for adverse outcomes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to investigational/off-label treatments for terminally ill patients, aligning with healthcare access indicators without restrictions.95% confidence

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

A 996: Requires health insurers to provide coverage for testing for suspected dyslexia.

This bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey (including individual, group, and small employer plans) to cover comprehensive neuropsychological testing for suspected dyslexia. It mandates that insurers cannot exclude this coverage, ensuring testing for diagnosis and related psychological/emotional assessments is provided at the same level as other medical conditions. The law applies to all covered health insurance contracts issued or renewed in New Jersey after its effective date, directly affecting patients seeking dyslexia evaluations and insurers offering these plans. It does not create new funding but requires existing insurance policies to include this specific service. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for dyslexia testing, expanding access to diagnostic services under health insurance requirements95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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

A 2201: Authorizes health care professionals to engage in the use of remote patient monitoring devices; requires health care insurance coverage by certain insurers for remote patient monitoring devices.

This New Jersey bill (A-2201) requires health insurance companies to cover remote patient monitoring devices - like those tracking vital signs - from patients' homes on the same terms as in-person medical visits. It mandates that insurers pay the same reimbursement rate for remote monitoring as they would for in-person care and cannot charge higher deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for these services. The law also prohibits insurers from restricting how providers use technology (e.g., audio-only calls) or limiting coverage for routine remote check-ins, as long as care standards match in-person services. This directly affects health insurers, patients using remote monitoring, and healthcare providers delivering these services in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers cover remote monitoring devices at same rate as in-person visits, expanding patient access without higher costs or restrictions.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates insurance coverage for remote patient monitoring devices, requires equal reimbursement, and prohibits restrictions on technology use, advancing healthcare technology adoption.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Telehealth

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

A 721: Enacts "Anthony Maruca's Law"; requires law enforcement officers to carry epinephrine.

This bill, "Anthony Maruca's Law," requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to complete training on administering epinephrine auto-injectors and carry one device during official duties. It mandates that police departments provide each officer with a one-dose epinephrine auto-injector device, to be stored in patrol vehicles or medical supply kits per health department guidelines. The law directly affects all sworn law enforcement officers in New Jersey who perform duties requiring emergency response. It creates a concrete policy change by ensuring officers have immediate access to epinephrine for anaphylaxis emergencies during their work.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires law enforcement to carry epinephrine for anaphylaxis treatment, improving emergency medical response access and patient outcomes.75% confidence

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