New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey A434: Medications, maintenance-prohibits SHBP, SEHBP or Medicaid from denying coverage
Status: Passed one chamber, October 29, 2026
Prohibits SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid from denying coverage for maintenance medications for chronic conditions for covered persons solely because of change in health benefits plan or pharmacy benefits manager.
What the bill says
An Act concerning health care coverage for certain medications and supplementing P.L.1961, c.49 (C.52:14-17.25 et seq.), P.L.2007, c.103 (C.52:14-17.46.1 et seq.), and P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.).
From the introduced text, January 13, 2026:
An Act concerning health care coverage for certain medications and supplementing P.L.1961, c.49 (C.52:14-17.25 et seq.), P.L.2007, c.103 (C.52:14-17.46.1 et seq.), and P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.). Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. Notwithstanding any other law or regulation to the contrary, 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 and medical expense benefits shall not deny coverage for a maintenance medication prescribed by a covered persons physician for the covered persons chronic condition because of a change in the covered persons pharmaceutical benefits that results solely from a change in the contract or the pharmacy benefits manager for that contract if: a. the covered person was taking the medication prior to the date of the change in the contract or the pharmacy benefits manager for that contract; and b. the new contract, or the contract under the new pharmacy benefits manager, as applicable, provides coverage for that class of drugs. 2. Notwithstanding any other law or regulation to the contrary, 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 and medical expense benefits …
Sponsors
- Michael Venezia (D, 34) · primary sponsor
- Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D, 15) · primary sponsor
- Heather Simmons (D, 3) · primary sponsor
- Vincent M. Kearney (D, 21)
- Margie Donlon, M.D. (D, 11)
- Luanne M. Peterpaul, Esq. (D, 11)
- Roy Freiman (D, 16)
- Katie Brennan (D, 32)
- Shanique Speight (D, 29)
- Sterley S. Stanley (D, 18)
Latest actions
- : PA (76-0-0)
- : REP 2RA
- : REP REF AAP
- : REP REF AHE
- : INT 1RA REF AFI
Votes
- 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Medications, maintenance-prohibits SHBP, SEHBP or Medicaid from denying coverage (October 29, 2026): 76 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Assembly Appropriations Committee: Reported favorably (October 22, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Assembly Health Committee: Reported favorably (October 5, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee: Reported favorably (February 12, 2026): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: HEALTH - PHARMACEUTICALS, INSURANCE - HEALTH INSURANCE, HUMAN SERVICES - MEDICAID AND MEDICARE
Common questions
- What is A434?
- A434 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Medications, maintenance-prohibits SHBP, SEHBP or Medicaid from denying coverage.
- What does A434 do?
- In its own words: An Act concerning health care coverage for certain medications and supplementing P.L.1961, c.49 (C.52:14-17.25 et seq.), P.L.2007, c.103 (C.52:14-17.46.1 et seq.), and P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.).
- What is the status of A434?
- Passed one chamber as of October 29, 2026. Latest action: PA (76-0-0) (October 29, 2026).
- Who sponsored A434?
- Michael Venezia (D, 34), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for A434?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A434
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.