New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A1207 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	ASSEMBLY, No. 1207 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 221st LEGISLATURE PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
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3	3	ASSEMBLY, No. 1207
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7	7	STATE OF NEW JERSEY
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9	9	221st LEGISLATURE
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13	13	PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
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17	17	Sponsored by: Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY District 7 (Burlington) Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT District 29 (Essex and Hudson) Co-Sponsored by: Assemblyman Wimberly SYNOPSIS Requires health insurance coverage of prescribed anti-obesity medication. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
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21	21	Sponsored by:
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23	23	Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
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25	25	District 7 (Burlington)
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27	27	Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
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29	29	District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
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33	33	Co-Sponsored by:
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35	35	Assemblyman Wimberly
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45	45	SYNOPSIS
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47	47	Requires health insurance coverage of prescribed anti-obesity medication.
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51	51	CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
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53	53	Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
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57	57	An Act concerning health insurance coverage for certain anti-obesity medication and supplementing various parts of the statutory law. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. a. A hospital service corporation contract that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1938, c.366 (C.17:48-1 et seq.), or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any named subscriber or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication. b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the contract. c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all hospital service corporation contracts in which the hospital service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium. d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity. 2. a. Every medical service corporation contract that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1940, c.74 (C.17:48A-1 et seq.), or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any named subscriber or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication. b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the contract. c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all medical service corporation contracts in which the medical service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium. d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity. 3. a. Every health service corporation contract that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1985, c.236 (C.17:48E-1 et seq.), or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any named subscriber or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication. b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the contract. c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all health service corporation contracts in which the health service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium. d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity. 4. a. Every individual policy that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to N.J.S. 17B:26-1 et seq., or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any named insured or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication. b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the policy. c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all health insurance policies in which the insurer has reserved the right to change the premium. d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity. 5. a. Every group policy that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to N.J.S.17B:27-26 et seq., or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any named insured or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication. b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the policy. c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all health insurance policies in which the insurer has reserved the right to change the premium. d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity. 6. a. Every enrollee agreement that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1973, c.337 (C.26:2J-1 et seq.), or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide health care services to any enrollee or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication. b. The health care services shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the enrollee agreement. c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all enrollee agreements in which the health maintenance organization has reserved the right to change the schedule of charges. d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity. 7. a. Every individual health benefits plan that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1992, c.161 (C.17B:27A-2 et seq.), or approved for issuance or renewal in this State on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication. b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the health benefits plan. c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all individual health benefits plans in which the carrier has reserved the right to change the premium. d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity. 8. a. Every small employer health benefits plan that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-17 et seq.), or approved for issuance or renewal in this State on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any person covered thereunder for expenses incurred obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication. b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the health benefits plan. c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all small business health benefits plans in which the carrier has reserved the right to change the premium. d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity. 9. a. The State Health Benefits Commission shall ensure that every contract purchased by the commission on or after the effective date of this act, that provides hospital or medical expense benefits shall provide benefits to any person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication. b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the contract. c. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity. 10. a. The School Employees' Health Benefits Commission shall ensure that every contract purchased by the commission on or after the effective date of this act that provides hospital or medical expense benefits shall provide benefits to any person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication. b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the contract. c. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity. 11. This act shall take effect on the 90th day next following enactment and shall apply to policies and contracts that are delivered, issued, executed, or renewed on or after that date. STATEMENT This bill requires health insurance coverage of prescribed anti-obesity medication. Specifically, under the bill, health insurance carriers (including insurance companies, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, health maintenance organizations authorized to issue health benefits plans in New Jersey, and any entities contracted to administer health benefits in connection with the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program) will be required to cover prescribed anti-obesity medication that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is the intent of the sponsor of this bill that access to obesity medication be expanded and that greater attention be placed on obesity as a disease. Since 2013, the American Medical Association has recognized obesity as a disease requiring treatment and prevention efforts. According to the World Health Organization, obesity leads to a range of non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, various forms of cancer, and various mental health issues. It is estimated that almost one-third of American adults and 17% of American children ages two to 19 are obese. Globally, more than one billion people are considered to be obese, with an additional 167 million people expected to become obese by 2025. By expanding access to FDA-approved anti-obesity medication such as "Wegovy," more individuals will be able to affordably access this effective treatment.
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59	59	An Act concerning health insurance coverage for certain anti-obesity medication and supplementing various parts of the statutory law.
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63	63	Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
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67	67	1. a. A hospital service corporation contract that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1938, c.366 (C.17:48-1 et seq.), or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any named subscriber or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication.
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69	69	b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the contract.
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71	71	c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all hospital service corporation contracts in which the hospital service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium.
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73	73	d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity.
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77	77	2. a. Every medical service corporation contract that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1940, c.74 (C.17:48A-1 et seq.), or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any named subscriber or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication.
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79	79	b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the contract.
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81	81	c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all medical service corporation contracts in which the medical service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium.
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83	83	d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity.
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87	87	3. a. Every health service corporation contract that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1985, c.236 (C.17:48E-1 et seq.), or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any named subscriber or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication.
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89	89	b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the contract.
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91	91	c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all health service corporation contracts in which the health service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium.
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93	93	d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity.
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97	97	4. a. Every individual policy that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to N.J.S. 17B:26-1 et seq., or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any named insured or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication.
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99	99	b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the policy.
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101	101	c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all health insurance policies in which the insurer has reserved the right to change the premium.
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103	103	d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity.
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107	107	5. a. Every group policy that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to N.J.S.17B:27-26 et seq., or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any named insured or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication.
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109	109	b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the policy.
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111	111	c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all health insurance policies in which the insurer has reserved the right to change the premium.
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113	113	d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity.
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115	115	6. a. Every enrollee agreement that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1973, c.337 (C.26:2J-1 et seq.), or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide health care services to any enrollee or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication.
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117	117	b. The health care services shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the enrollee agreement.
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119	119	c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all enrollee agreements in which the health maintenance organization has reserved the right to change the schedule of charges.
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121	121	d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity.
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125	125	7. a. Every individual health benefits plan that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1992, c.161 (C.17B:27A-2 et seq.), or approved for issuance or renewal in this State on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication.
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127	127	b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the health benefits plan.
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129	129	c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all individual health benefits plans in which the carrier has reserved the right to change the premium.
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131	131	d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity.
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135	135	8. a. Every small employer health benefits plan that provides hospital or medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-17 et seq.), or approved for issuance or renewal in this State on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any person covered thereunder for expenses incurred obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication.
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137	137	b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the health benefits plan.
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139	139	c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all small business health benefits plans in which the carrier has reserved the right to change the premium.
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141	141	d. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity.
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145	145	9. a. The State Health Benefits Commission shall ensure that every contract purchased by the commission on or after the effective date of this act, that provides hospital or medical expense benefits shall provide benefits to any person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication.
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147	147	b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the contract.
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149	149	c. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity.
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153	153	10. a. The School Employees' Health Benefits Commission shall ensure that every contract purchased by the commission on or after the effective date of this act that provides hospital or medical expense benefits shall provide benefits to any person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in obtaining prescribed anti-obesity medication.
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155	155	b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the contract.
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157	157	c. For the purpose of this section, "anti-obesity medication" means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity.
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161	161	11. This act shall take effect on the 90th day next following enactment and shall apply to policies and contracts that are delivered, issued, executed, or renewed on or after that date.
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167	167	STATEMENT
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171	171	This bill requires health insurance coverage of prescribed anti-obesity medication.
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173	173	Specifically, under the bill, health insurance carriers (including insurance companies, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, health maintenance organizations authorized to issue health benefits plans in New Jersey, and any entities contracted to administer health benefits in connection with the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program) will be required to cover prescribed anti-obesity medication that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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175	175	It is the intent of the sponsor of this bill that access to obesity medication be expanded and that greater attention be placed on obesity as a disease. Since 2013, the American Medical Association has recognized obesity as a disease requiring treatment and prevention efforts. According to the World Health Organization, obesity leads to a range of non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, various forms of cancer, and various mental health issues. It is estimated that almost one-third of American adults and 17% of American children ages two to 19 are obese. Globally, more than one billion people are considered to be obese, with an additional 167 million people expected to become obese by 2025. By expanding access to FDA-approved anti-obesity medication such as "Wegovy," more individuals will be able to affordably access this effective treatment.