Bill > A577

Introduced Session

This bill extends comprehensive NJ FamilyCare coverage to pregnant undocumented immigrants, and their dependent children up to the age of one year, who reside in the State and do not qualify for such coverage under existing law. Pregnant undocumented individuals would be eligible for full NJ FamilyCare benefits through the end of the 60-day period beginning on the last day of the individual's pregnancy. Under existing State and federal law, undocumented immigrants may receive Medicaid coverage only for care and services necessary for the treatment of an emergency medical condition, which federal statute defines as including emergency labor and delivery. The bill defines "undocumented immigrant" as an immigrant who resides in the State, but is unable to document the immigrant's status as an eligible alien, as defined in the State's Medicaid statute, or to demonstrate that the immigrant is lawfully present in the United States. The bill also directs the Commissioner of Human Services to attempt to maximize federal financial participation for the provision of comprehensive NJ FamilyCare benefits for pregnant undocumented immigrants and their dependent children under the age of one year; the bill would remain inoperable until the commissioner receives a determination of federal financial participation regarding the bill's provisions. If federal matching funds are not available, comprehensive NJ FamilyCare benefits for this new eligibility group would commence upon the appropriation of State funds designated for this purpose. The bill additionally stipulates that comprehensive NJ FamilyCare benefits will be provided to this new eligibility group only to the extent allowable under federal statute.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Gabriel Rodriguez (D)*,  Sterley Stanley (D)*,  Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document