This bill establishes the Health Equity Access and Leadership (HEAL) Fund as a separate non-lapsing account within the existing Health Care Subsidy Fund (HCSF). The HCSF, which is funded through various state taxes, will now allocate a portion of its revenues to support the HEAL Fund, which is designed to provide competitive grants to community-based health care organizations. These grants will target essential health care services for underserved or underinsured populations, particularly those who have experienced reduced access due to significant losses in state or federal funding. The bill mandates that at least 0.1 percent of the projected revenue deposited into the HCSF each fiscal year be allocated to the HEAL Fund, alongside a one-time appropriation of $25 million from the General Fund.

The Commissioner of Health will oversee the distribution of funds from the HEAL Fund, ensuring that grants are awarded based on established eligibility criteria, which include the applicant's need for funds and their service to diverse patient populations without recent federal funding. Additionally, the Commissioner is required to submit an annual report detailing the fund's receipts, expenditures, geographic service distribution, and health outcomes related to the grants. This initiative aims to enhance health equity and access to care across New Jersey, particularly for marginalized communities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26:2H-18.58