Requires DOH to establish levels of maternity care at maternity care facilities.
The classification system is designed to reduce adverse maternal care outcomes and address obstetric inequities, striving for an integrated continuum of care. Facilities will be required to adopt uniform designations and meet specific criteria for designation, which includes the establishment of effective transfer protocols for patients between various levels of care. The DOH will also be mandated to create a public awareness campaign to inform communities about this classification system and its implications for improving maternal health throughout New Jersey.
Assembly Bill A5636 requires the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) to develop a formalized classification system for maternity care facilities within the state. This system aims to define roles and relationships among maternity care facilities based on the level of care they provide. By classifying facilities as accredited birthing centers, Level I basic, Level II specialty, Level III subspecialty, or Level IV regional perinatal health care centers, the bill seeks to ensure that care is consistent and meets the specific needs of pregnant, antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum patients.
Key points of contention surrounding A5636 involve the implementation of this classification system and the potential impact it has on existing maternity care practices and facilities. Critics may argue about the feasibility of meeting the new requirements and the administrative burden placed on smaller or under-resourced facilities. Additional concerns may arise around the legal recourse options for patients experiencing obstetric violence or racism, as established by this legislation, highlighting the sensitive nature of healthcare equity issues in maternity care.