SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE, No. 1097

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: october 7, 2024

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably a Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 1097.

      The substitute bill requires health insurance carriers (health, hospital and medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and insurance companies), the State Health Benefits Program, the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program, and the State Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs to provide coverage for expenses incurred in planned home childbirth.  The required covered is to include, but not be limited to, costs associated with services provided by a health care provider, services provided by a doula, and equipment and medical supplies.

      Under the substitute bill, a “health care provider” is defined to mean an individual or entity which, acting within the scope of its licensure or certification, provides health care services.  The term includes a family practice physician, obstetrician, advanced practice nurse, registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, certified professional midwife, certified nurse midwife, or certified midwife.