NJAMHAA Highlights Need for Increased Funding of the Workforce and Services
January 16, 2024
Everyone in New Jersey's Diverse Community Is
Worthy of Full Investment in the Behavioral
Healthcare System
According to a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration November 2023 report, 48.7 million Americans
(17.3%) aged 12 or older had a substan...
HHS Launches New Medicaid/CHIP Resource Hub with Renewal and Transition Resources
January 16, 2024
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
announced the launch of a new, online and user-friendly hub for
partners to access critical Medicaid and Children's Health
Insurance Program (CHIP) renewal and transition resources.
This hub pulls toget...
New State Law Authorizes Network Pharmacies to Offer Lower-Cost Prescription Drug Options
January 12, 2024
Governor Phil Murphy signed
S3604 into law as P.L.2023, c.221., which authorizes
the use of healthcare platforms providing discounted prices for
payment of prescription and non-prescription drugs, devices, and
telehealth and telemedicine services.
This law prohib...
DHS Announces Enhancements to Adult I/DD Emergency Services Programs
January 9, 2024
Last week, January 5, 2024, Sarah Adelman, Commissioner of the
New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), announced
significant enhancements to the statewide emergency services
programs aiding adults with intellectual and developmental
disabilities (I/DD).
As s...
Congress Works toward Preventing a Government Shutdown
January 8, 2024
The United States Senate and House of Representatives are
scheduled to return in full on January 9, 2024, after their
holiday recess, leaving just 10 days from that point to pass
legislation and prevent a government shutdown.
On November 16, 2023, President Joe Biden...
HHS Secretary Renews Determination of Opioid Public Health Emergency
January 4, 2024
On December 21, 2023, United States Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the
determination that an opioid public health emergency exists
nationwide.
The determination was reached "as a result of the continued
consequences o...
Mental Health Tips Especially Valuable as Employee Wellbeing Reaches 12-Year Low
January 3, 2024
Associated Press published an article on Dec. 28th with
statistics on declining levels of wellness, both physical and
mental, among employees and recommendations for employers. Some
of the striking research findings presented in this article are:
"50% of workers repo...
Bill Calling for Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Exemption to Be Voted on January 4, 2024
January 2, 2024
A bill that exempts certain nonprofits that offer social services
from motor vehicle registration fees is scheduled for a vote at
both the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee meeting on
January 4, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. in the State House Annex, Committee
Room 4, 1st...
Open Enrollment through Get Covered New Jersey Ends December 31st
December 28, 2023
The annual Open Enrollment Period for Get Covered New Jersey
(GetCovered.nj.gov), the state's Official Health Insurance
Marketplace, will end on December 31, 2023.
New Jersey residents who do not have health coverage through
employers or other programs, such as Med...
Holiday Blues Could Be Exacerbated by International Conflicts, Underscore Importance of Self-Care
December 27, 2023
While the holiday season is a joyful time for many people, this
is unfortunately not the case for other individuals, especially
those who have friends and relatives in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza
and, therefore, are worried about their safety or have lost loved
ones dur...
State Legislation Aims to Expedite Professional Credentialing
December 27, 2023
On Thursday, December 21, 2023, the New Jersey Senate passed
A5283, legislation that requires calculation of the
national average time needed to approve applications for initial
credentials in professions or occupations, and the use of that
average time as the sta...
FDA Approves First Test to Help Identify Elevated Risk of Developing Opioid Use Disorder
December 26, 2023
On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, the United States Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approved the first test that uses DNA to
assess whether certain individuals may have an elevated risk of
developing opioid use disorder (OUD), the AvertD test from
AutoGenomics, Inc.
...
More than 19 Million Projected to Enrolled in Affordable Care Act Coverage in 2024
December 21, 2023
On December 20, 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration announced
that preliminary data projects that more than 19 million
individuals will enroll for coverage through the Affordable Care
Act (ACA) Marketplace for 2024. This includes 15.3 million
individuals who have a...
Open Enrollment through Get Covered New Jersey Ends December 31st
December 19, 2023
The annual Open Enrollment Period for Get Covered New
Jersey (GetCovered.nj.gov), the state's Official Health
Insurance Marketplace, ends on December 31, 2023.
New Jersey residents who do not hav...
Proposed Census Survey Changes would Reduce Number of Individuals Classified as Having Disabilities
December 12, 2023
The United States Census Bureau has proposed changes to the
American Community Survey, which would align the U.S. with
international standards, but would also increase the threshold
required for individuals to be classified as having disabilities,
in a move advocates...