Bill > A6166

This bill revises various state laws to update references to immunization recommendations, primarily shifting the authority from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the United States Public Health Service or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH). The DOH, in making its recommendations, will now consider the ACIP's guidance, along with recommendations from other professional medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics. This change affects insurance contracts and policies, including those for hospital service corporations, health service corporations, medical service corporations, individual health insurers, group health insurers, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and state employee health benefits plans. The bill also ensures that certain preventive services, including immunizations, are covered by these plans without requiring cost-sharing (like deductibles or copayments) and mandates that health care facilities implement annual influenza vaccination programs based on DOH recommendations. The intent is to streamline and centralize the recommendation process for immunizations and preventive care within the state's Department of Health, while still leveraging national expert guidance.

Health and Social Services

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A6166