This bill mandates that health insurance and Medicaid in New Jersey must cover reproductive health care services, including abortion, without any cost-sharing requirements such as deductibles or copayments. It prohibits medical malpractice insurers from taking adverse actions against healthcare providers based on their provision of legally protected reproductive health services, regardless of the legality of those services in the patient's state of residence. The legislation emphasizes the importance of access to reproductive health care for all individuals in New Jersey, aiming to eliminate financial barriers that disproportionately affect marginalized groups. Additionally, it reinforces the fundamental right to reproductive autonomy, ensuring individuals can make choices regarding contraception, pregnancy, and abortion without state-imposed limitations.

The bill also requires health insurance carriers, including the NJ FamilyCares/Medicaid program, to provide coverage for pregnancy termination and defines pregnancy as beginning with the implantation of a fertilized egg. It allows religious employers to request an exclusion from this coverage if it conflicts with their bona fide religious beliefs. Furthermore, the bill introduces definitions for "gender-affirming health care services" and "legally protected health care activity," ensuring these services are recognized under state law. It also repeals certain sections of previous legislation and outlines effective dates for its provisions, with some taking effect immediately and others after a specified period.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 10:7-2, 17:30D-22