The Healthcare Finance Enhancement Act introduces significant amendments to the operation and licensing of health care services and facilities in New Jersey. A key provision exempts surgical practices from the ambulatory care facility assessment until State Fiscal Year 2025, with the condition that the exemption will be lifted if the practice adds an operating room. Starting in State Fiscal Year 2026, surgical practices will no longer be exempt from this assessment. Additionally, the bill establishes a per adjusted admission charge for hospitals, set at $10 until June 30, 2025, which will increase to $12.50 beginning July 1, 2025. The assessment structure for ambulatory care facilities is also modified, reducing the gross receipts assessment rate from 2.95 percent to 2.5 percent for fiscal year 2026 and expanding the assessment to all ambulatory care facilities starting in fiscal year 2027.

Moreover, the bill enhances transparency by requiring the Department of Health to publish inspection reports of residential health care facilities online, particularly focusing on serious violations and license suspensions within 72 hours. It also outlines the licensing process for health care facilities, including a pre-licensure consultation for applicants and the conditions for issuing new licenses for ambulatory care facilities that provide surgical services. The overall aim of the act is to strengthen the regulatory framework governing health care facilities, improve patient safety, and ensure accountability while increasing funding for health care services through the Health Care Subsidy Fund.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26:2H-12, 26:2H-18.57