Bill
Bill > A4308
summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Department of Human Services to increase home and community-based services under Medicaid. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Human Services is required to: 1) by 2027, aim to place 80 percent Medicaid participants, who are eligible to receive nursing home care, in home and community-based services, with 60 percent of the Medicaid funding for long-term services and supports allocated to home and community-based services; 2) by 2029, aim to allocate 70 percent of the Medicaid funding for long-term services and supports to home and community-based services; 3) establish a five-year strategic plan to rapidly expand home and community-based services by investing monies from available funds in a manner that decreases the number of individuals who are institutionalized in State developmental centers; 4) take measures to reduce institutional bias in State policy, including Medicaid eligibility changes, more timely authorizations for home and community-based services, and Medicaid coverage changes designed to promote home and community-based services; 5) develop an equitable plan across health care provider types with stakeholder input prior to expiration of enhanced federal funding contained in the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021; 6) manage Medicaid payment methods for home and community-based services in a manner that ensures a living wage for caregivers, and periodically review the adequacy of rates in a transparent, verifiable manner, with predictable adjustments in wages to account for inflation; and 7) in collaboration with the Department of Community Affairs, increase affordable supportive housing through various policies, including better coordination of programs at the State level, and promoting the integration of acute, primary, and long-term care through the expansion of integrated care models, such as the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that the Department of Human Services (DHS) significantly increase the availability and use of home and community-based services (HCBS) for individuals eligible for Medicaid, which is a federal and state program providing health coverage to low-income individuals. Specifically, by 2027, the Commissioner of Human Services must aim to have 80% of Medicaid participants eligible for nursing home care receive services in their homes or communities, and allocate 60% of Medicaid funding for long-term services and supports to HCBS, with this allocation increasing to 70% by 2029. The bill also requires DHS to create a five-year strategic plan to expand HCBS, reduce the number of individuals in state developmental centers (facilities for people with developmental disabilities), and address "institutional bias" in state policies by making it easier to qualify for and receive HCBS. Furthermore, DHS must develop a plan for equitable distribution of enhanced federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, ensure caregivers receive a living wage through Medicaid payment methods, and work with the Department of Community Affairs to increase affordable supportive housing and integrate different types of healthcare, such as through programs like the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 02/19/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A4308 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4500/4308_I1.HTM |
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