ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4615

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 13, 2023

      The Assembly Health Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4615.

      Under current law, the Secretary of Higher Education, upon the advice of the Advisory Graduate Medical Education Council of New Jersey and with the concurrence of the Commissioner of Health, is required to establish graduate medical education programs.  Specifically, the secretary is required to:  (1) plan for the development and implementation of graduate medical education programs in the State; (2) set standards for qualification for participation by public and private nonprofit hospitals in the State; (3) establish standards for the use and expenditures of funds appropriated for the purpose of establishing and maintaining graduate medical education programs; and (4) determine the number and type of graduate medical education programs which should be supported in particular hospitals in relation to total State needs. 

      As amended by the committee, this bill directs that graduate medical education programs include program slots in both physical health care and behavioral health care.

      As amended by the committee, the bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to apply for such 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 the approval of such State plan amendments or waivers, the Commissioner of Human Services and the Secretary of Higher Education are to establish a process for new and existing graduate medical education programs to request and use Medicaid funds to establish additional graduate medical education program slots focused on behavioral health care.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments: (1) require the graduate medical education programs to include program slots in both physical health care and behavioral health care; and (2) clarify that Medicaid funds may be used to establish program slots in behavioral health care in both new and existing graduate medical education programs.