New Jersey recently announced a significant change in its healthcare landscape – all state-regulated health insurance plans are now required to provide coverage for abortions. This mandate, which took effect on Monday, applies to all state workers, teachers, small businesses, and individuals who purchase insurance from the state’s official health insurance marketplace, Get Covered New Jersey. Large state-regulated employers are also included in this requirement.
It is important to note that coverage does not necessarily mean that the service is free. As with any medical procedure, costs associated with deductibles and co-pays still apply. State regulations dictate that these costs must be borne by the insured individuals.
The decision to require abortion coverage in state-regulated health insurance plans followed the signing of a law by Governor Phil Murphy in January 2022, which aimed to protect abortion rights and preserve a woman’s legal right to access abortion services. The law also tasked the Department of Banking and Insurance with studying the cost implications of terminating a pregnancy. The subsequent study concluded that the insurance mandate for abortion coverage was necessary.
Acting Commissioner Justin Zimmerman expressed the importance of this coverage, stating, “Insurance coverage for reproductive health services is essential to expanding access to comprehensive care. Today’s enactment reduces barriers to these critical health services.”
However, there are exceptions to the mandate for nonprofit religious employers who can seek permission to opt-out based on their religious beliefs and practices. In such cases, employers and insurance carriers are obligated to inform their employees in writing about the refusal to provide coverage for abortion.
It is worth noting that the impact of this mandate might be limited, as it only applies to the insurance market regulated by the state. The majority of people in New Jersey are covered by federally regulated, self-insured plans offered by their employers. Additionally, Medicaid, the government-funded insurance program for the poor, already covers abortions but using state funds.
State lawmakers have emphasized the significance of these new rules. Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz stated, “When we passed the legislation that allowed for the decision today, we did so to protect women’s rights and give them assurance that their healthcare plans will be required to put their needs and their decisions first.”
Although this mandate is a step forward in ensuring access to abortion services, it is important to recognize that it does not solve all the challenges surrounding abortion access and affordability. Nonetheless, it represents a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to safeguard reproductive rights and provide comprehensive healthcare to individuals in New Jersey.
As journalism plays a critical role in keeping the public informed, your support is vital. To stay updated on the latest news in New Jersey, please subscribe to NJ.com.
SOURCES:
1. NJ.com – https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uai5jb20vcG9saXRpY3MvMjAyMy8wOS9uai1ub3ctcmVxdWlyZXMtYWJvcnRpb24tY292ZXJhZ2UtZm9yLWFsbC1zdGF0ZS1yZWd1bGF0ZWQtaW5zdXJhbmNlLXBsYW5zLXdpdGgtb25lLWNhdGNoLmh0bWzSAZABaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmouY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzLzIwMjMvMDkvbmotbm93LXJlcXVpcmVzLWFib3J0aW9uLWNvdmVyYWdlLWZvci1hbGwtc3RhdGUtcmVndWxhdGVkLWluc3VyYW5jZS1wbGFucy13aXRoLW9uZS1jYXRjaC5odG1sP291dHB1dFR5cGU9YW1w?oc=5(https://www.nj.com/healthfit/2022/11/nj-to-mandate-abortion-be-covered-by-state-regulated-health-insurance-plans.html)
2. NJ.com – https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uai5jb20vcG9saXRpY3MvMjAyMy8wOS9uai1ub3ctcmVxdWlyZXMtYWJvcnRpb24tY292ZXJhZ2UtZm9yLWFsbC1zdGF0ZS1yZWd1bGF0ZWQtaW5zdXJhbmNlLXBsYW5zLXdpdGgtb25lLWNhdGNoLmh0bWzSAZABaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmouY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzLzIwMjMvMDkvbmotbm93LXJlcXVpcmVzLWFib3J0aW9uLWNvdmVyYWdlLWZvci1hbGwtc3RhdGUtcmVndWxhdGVkLWluc3VyYW5jZS1wbGFucy13aXRoLW9uZS1jYXRjaC5odG1sP291dHB1dFR5cGU9YW1w?oc=5(https://www.nj.com/politics/2022/01/murphy-signs-bill-protecting-abortion-rights-in-nj.html)
3. State of New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance – https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uai5jb20vcG9saXRpY3MvMjAyMy8wOS9uai1ub3ctcmVxdWlyZXMtYWJvcnRpb24tY292ZXJhZ2UtZm9yLWFsbC1zdGF0ZS1yZWd1bGF0ZWQtaW5zdXJhbmNlLXBsYW5zLXdpdGgtb25lLWNhdGNoLmh0bWzSAZABaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmouY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzLzIwMjMvMDkvbmotbm93LXJlcXVpcmVzLWFib3J0aW9uLWNvdmVyYWdlLWZvci1hbGwtc3RhdGUtcmVndWxhdGVkLWluc3VyYW5jZS1wbGFucy13aXRoLW9uZS1jYXRjaC5odG1sP291dHB1dFR5cGU9YW1w?oc=5(https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&crid=a98d42ae-5188-4bae-a58e-aa77541f7264&nodeid=AABAABAABAADAAFAAB&nodepath=%2FROOT%2FAAB%2FAABAAB%2FAABAABAAB%2FAABAABAABAAD%2FAABAABAABAADAAF%2FAABAABAABAADAAFAAB&level=6&haschildren=&populated=false&title=55+N.J.R.+2007(b)&config=025154JABiMmFjYzAxMy1hNjIyLTQ0YTctOTY0NS1iOGNlMTRiYzBkNGQKAFBvZENhdGFsb2flnvGwky16hNN9rcMfcun6&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fadministrative-codes%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A6945-5G41-JN6B-S2BJ-00008-00&ecomp=7gf5kkk&prid=f31c8d2b-57d5-423b-9db3-f7cd096478c7)
4. State of New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance – https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uai5jb20vcG9saXRpY3MvMjAyMy8wOS9uai1ub3ctcmVxdWlyZXMtYWJvcnRpb24tY292ZXJhZ2UtZm9yLWFsbC1zdGF0ZS1yZWd1bGF0ZWQtaW5zdXJhbmNlLXBsYW5zLXdpdGgtb25lLWNhdGNoLmh0bWzSAZABaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmouY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzLzIwMjMvMDkvbmotbm93LXJlcXVpcmVzLWFib3J0aW9uLWNvdmVyYWdlLWZvci1hbGwtc3RhdGUtcmVndWxhdGVkLWluc3VyYW5jZS1wbGFucy13aXRoLW9uZS1jYXRjaC5odG1sP291dHB1dFR5cGU9YW1w?oc=5(https://nj.gov/dobi/P.L.2021c.375report.pdf)