ASSEMBLY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4615

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 12, 2022

      The Assembly Higher Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4615.

      As reported by the committee, this bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education to ensure that the graduate medical education programs developed and implemented in New Jersey include programs in both physical health care and behavioral health care.

      The bill additionally requires the Commissioner of Human Services to apply for State plan amendments or waivers as may be necessary to secure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program for the purpose of establishing additional graduate medical education slots focused on behavioral health care. 

      Contingent on approval of the requested State plan amendments or waivers, the Commissioner of Human Services and the Secretary of Higher Education will be required to establish a process for graduate medical education programs to request and use Medicaid funds to establish additional graduate medical education programs focused on behavioral health care.