Bill Text: NJ S4190 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires DHS to submit Medicaid State plan amendment to federal government requesting approval to create Health Home Program for certain Medicaid beneficiaries with sickle cell disease.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-05-11 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [S4190 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-S4190-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Requires DHS to submit Medicaid State plan amendment to federal government requesting approval to create Health Home Program for certain Medicaid beneficiaries with sickle cell disease.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning Medicaid beneficiaries with sickle cell disease, and supplementing Title 30 of the Revised Statues.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Human Services shall submit a Medicaid State plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the United States Department of Health and Human Services to request approval of the establishment of a Health Home Program for Medicaid beneficiaries who:
(1) have been diagnosed with sickle cell disease; and
(2) are at risk for a second chronic condition.
b. No later than 180 days following the approval of the State Medicaid plan amendment submitted pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the commissioner shall implement a Health Home Program in accordance with this section and the applicable federal laws and regulations regarding a Health Home Program.
c. As used in this section:
"Chronic condition" means any physical or behavioral health condition that is persistent or recurring, typically lasting 12 months or longer, and requires long-term management to control symptoms.
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Human Services.
"Health Home Program" means the optional Medicaid State plan benefit which allows states to coordinate care for Medicaid beneficiaries who have chronic conditions pursuant to section 1945 to the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. s.1396w-4).
"Sickle cell disease" means an inherited blood disorder affecting red blood cells that occurs when an individual has inherited a sickle cell gene from each parent, as identified by a newborn screening or other genetic test.
2. The Commissioner of Human Services, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill directs the Commissioner of Human Services (commissioner) to submit a Medicaid State plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the United States Department of Health and Human Services to request approval of the establishment of a Health Home Program for Medicaid beneficiaries who: 1) have been diagnosed with sickle cell disease; and 2) are at risk for a second chronic condition.
The Health Home Program is an optional Medicaid State plan benefit, established under the Affordable Care Act, which allows states to coordinate care for Medicaid beneficiaries who have chronic conditions. Under the program, providers integrate and coordinate all primary, acute, behavioral health, and long-term services and supports to treat the whole person. No later than 180 days following the approval of the State Medicaid plan amendment, the commissioner is required to implement a Health Home Program in accordance with the bill, as well as the applicable federal requirements.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder affecting red blood cells that occurs when an individual has inherited a sickle cell gene from each parent, as identified by a newborn screening or other genetic test. Key chronic complications of the disease include severe anemia, chronic pain, joint destruction, stroke, chronic kidney disease, pulmonary hypertension, leg ulcers, and increased susceptibility to infections.
