New Jersey Senate Bill S1952

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/3/22
• Refer: 3/3/22

Caption

Requires hospital laboratories and bio-analytical or clinical laboratories to offer test for hepatitis C to certain individuals; authorizes certain laboratories to perform rapid tests for hepatitis C.

Summary

Senate Bill 1952 focuses on improving hepatitis C screening among individuals born between January 1, 1945, and December 31, 1965. It mandates hospitals and clinical laboratories to offer hepatitis C screening tests to this population, acknowledging that a significant percentage of chronic hepatitis C cases are found within this age group. The bill is aligned with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which states that individuals from this cohort are at a considerably higher risk of infection and associated health consequences. The bill establishes a requirement for healthcare facilities to provide both verbal and written information regarding hepatitis C screening at the point of care. Specifically, general hospitals must inform patients of the CDC's hepatitis C screening policies and are obliged to conduct the test if the patient consents. This proactive approach is intended to identify previously undiagnosed infections, ultimately leading to improved treatment outcomes and reducing the burden of liver disease. Financial stipulations in the bill ensure that if patients receive testing from out-of-network laboratories, their health benefits carrier will reimburse the laboratory at in-network rates. Moreover, laboratories are prohibited from billing individuals for the screening test, apart from applicable copayments or deductibles, which may alleviate financial barriers to testing for many patients. A major aspect of the bill is the commitment for the Commissioner of Health to monitor and evaluate its impact, specifically tracking the number of screenings conducted and subsequent access to care following positive test results. This evaluation is to be reported to the Governor and Legislature within a year of the bill’s enactment. Ultimately, the goals of SB1952 are to enhance public health outcomes through increased screening and early intervention for hepatitis C, particularly targeting those most at risk.