Bill > S2121

Introduced Session

This bill would expand the information and resources provided by the Commissioner of Human Services, through the enhanced NJ FamilyCare outreach and enrollment initiative to increase public awareness about the availability of, and benefits to enrolling in, Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare. Under the bill, the commissioner would be required to create a dedicated Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare Internet website that includes a directory of health care centers and other agencies that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to act as "health navigators" and assist New Jersey residents in enrolling in affordable health care plans, as well as other community centers that inform State residents about insurance options and assist with enrollment in health plans through the competitive health insurance marketplace. The directory would identify the languages spoken in each listed center. The commissioner would additionally be required to create a parallel Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare Internet website with the same content provided entirely in the Spanish language, and with a Spanish-language domain name to ensure easy Internet access by Spanish-speaking State residents. The bill would also require the commissioner to create a multimedia public awareness campaign, presented in English and Spanish, publicizing the Internet websites created pursuant to this bill. This bill aims to increase awareness and access to the Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs for underserved populations in this State, especially those for whom Spanish is a primary language. The bill would take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following enactment, to provide ample time for the Department of Human Services to create the two Internet websites and the public awareness campaign.

AI Summary

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Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 03/05/2018)