ASSEMBLY STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4127

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 9, 2022

      The Assembly State and Local Government Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4127.

      This bill mandates access to periodic cancer screening examinations for firefighters who are not enrolled in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP).  Under current law, a firefighter enrolled in SHBP is entitled to a cancer screening examination every three years.  This bill expands the access to examinations for firefighters who have a different health care plan through their employer or receive health insurance coverage in any other manner.  The bill creates a special program to be administered by the State Health Benefits Commission and appropriates $2 million to effectuate the purposes of the bill.

      The bill specifies that there should be no out-of-pocket cost to the firefighter and the program will pay the provider directly, eliminating a need to reimburse the firefighter for such costs.  Additionally, the bill specifies that payment to the provider for reimbursement should not exceed $1,250.

      The bill will take effect January 1, 2023.