New Jersey Assembly Bill A5329

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

Caption

Requires DOH to study cost of establishing long-term health care benefit for certain individuals.

Impact

The bill delineates two primary models for consideration in the study: a publicly funded long-term health care benefit financed via payroll deductions providing limited-time insurance benefits, and a public-private risk-sharing model, which seeks to create a stable reimbursement source for insurance providers against catastrophic losses. The findings will be pivotal in understanding the potential impacts on both the health care landscape in New Jersey and the state’s financial liabilities. The study's results can be significant in fostering future legislative changes surrounding long-term healthcare support in New Jersey.

Summary

Assembly Bill A5329, introduced by Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato, mandates the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) to conduct a study on the costs associated with establishing long-term health care benefits for specific individuals. The objective of this bill is to explore viable funding mechanisms, particularly through state-mandated payroll deductions, aimed at assisting individuals in affording long-term care services that may be necessary as they age. The focus of the study will encompass various public and private options available to develop such a healthcare benefit.

Conclusion

AB A5329 is positioned to provide a comprehensive examination of the future of long-term health care funding in New Jersey. The findings and recommendations from the DOH will likely influence subsequent legislative proposals aimed at constructing a more sustainable long-term health care financing framework that can address both individual and state needs effectively.

Contention

Discussions surrounding AB A5329 may attract diverse opinions, particularly regarding the model for funding through payroll deductions. Proponents may argue that such funding mechanisms are essential for ensuring that individuals have access to the necessary resources for long-term care, especially considering the rising costs that can exceed $65,000 annually. However, there may be opposition focused on the implications of compulsory payroll deductions and the overall feasibility of the proposed public-private partnership model, alongside concerns specific to the legal and financial risks incurred by the state.