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 insurance carriers from requiring prior authorization for these services and ensures comprehensive coverage for abortion in health benefit contracts issued in the state. While the bill allows religious employers to request exclusions from coverage that conflict with their beliefs, it maintains that necessary care to preserve life or health cannot be excluded. Additionally, the bill defines pregnancy as beginning with the implantation of a fertilized egg and requires state programs offering pregnancy-related care to include coverage for pregnancy termination.

The legislation also introduces definitions for "gender-affirming health care services" and "legally protected health care activity," ensuring these services are recognized under state law. It protects medical practitioners from adverse actions by malpractice insurers related to the provision of legally protected health care services, including abortion, and prohibits insurers from taking adverse actions against providers based solely on the residency of the patient in a state where such services may be illegal. The bill 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