ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1815

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 22, 2024

      The Assembly Health Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1815.

      This bill requires the Commissioner of Health to conduct a survey and analysis of antenatal and prenatal care clinics for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of maternity, antenatal, and prenatal care services throughout the State.  The survey includes data collected from all antenatal and prenatal care clinics in the State, including antenatal and prenatal care clinics that have closed or substantially ceased operation of any of  their beds, facilities, or services, within a two-year period prior to the effective date of the bill.  As used in the bill, "antenatal and prenatal care clinic" means an inpatient or ambulatory health care facility licensed by the Department of Health that provides maternity, antenatal, and prenatal care services.

      The purpose of the survey is to: inform policy on the certificate of need requirements as provided by P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) concerning the closure or discontinuance of all, or a component of, antenatal and prenatal care clinics’ services; assess the availability of antenatal and prenatal care clinics and their ability to provide maternity, antenatal, and prenatal care services; identify facilities where low and moderate income pregnant women receive maternity, antenatal, and prenatal care services; and collect cultural, demographic, and socioeconomic background data about the pregnant women served by antenatal and prenatal care clinics.

      The collected survey data are to be analyzed to: identify local and Statewide trends and developments in the provision of maternity, antenatal, and prenatal care services and disparities in the care received by pregnant women based on economic factors and the accessibility of antenatal and prenatal care clinics; and develop programs, resources, and strategies to improve access to, and the quality of, maternity, antenatal, and prenatal care services throughout the State.

      Survey data are to be made available through the Department of Health’s website, and the commissioner is to submit a report to the Legislature concerning the results of the survey and any recommendations for legislation or other action.  The bill specifies that published and reported data are not to include any personal identifying
information or confidential patient information.  The bill authorizes the commissioner to contract with a third party entity to administer the survey, review survey data, and produce the required report.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.