New Jersey Assembly Bill A2038

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Clarifies charitable role of health service corporations, revises membership of board of directors, establishes process to determine efficient level of surplus, and requires timely publication of certain information by DOBI.

Impact

One of the significant impacts of A2038 is the establishment of a public process to determine an efficient level of surplus for health service corporations. This process will require input from both the public and health experts and is intended to ensure that surpluses above a certain range are justified, promoting transparency and accountability. If a corporation cannot justify an excess surplus, it is required to develop a plan for its reduction and submit it for review. The bill also introduces the New Jersey Quality Health and Wellness Fund, which is designed to manage funds deposited by corporations with excess surpluses, dedicated to public healthcare benefits.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2038 clarifies the role and responsibilities of health service corporations in New Jersey, particularly focusing on their charitable mission and regulatory compliance. The bill emphasizes that health service corporations must operate not for profit but for the benefit of their subscribers, ensuring that their services fulfill obligations like being the insurer of last resort. It mandates these corporations to develop and submit a plan that includes measurable goals and objectives for providing affordable health insurance, enhancing public health initiatives, and addressing needs in underserved markets.

Contention

There are potential points of contention regarding the implementation of these regulations. Critics might argue that the increased oversight could stifle innovation within health service corporations or lead to more bureaucratic processes that slow down necessary health initiatives. Additionally, the specifics of how surpluses are managed and how success is measured could become contentious areas in future legislative discussions, as stakeholders will have different views on what constitutes adequate healthcare service delivery and fiscal responsibility.