New Jersey Advances Rules to Expand Access to Reproductive Health Care
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy, alongside legislative and community partners, announced significant strides made in the past year to protect and extend reproductive rights and health care access in New Jersey. The state is contrasting its initiatives with the rollback of reproductive freedoms in various other states.
“New Jersey is a state that continues to stand for the fundamental right to make one’s own reproductive choices,” Governor Murphy said. “No matter what steps other states may take to restrict access to reproductive health care, New Jersey will never stop fighting to defend these freedoms.” Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way echoed the sentiment, promising that by 2024, “every woman will be able to walk into a New Jersey pharmacy and purchase contraceptives without a prescription.”
Regulatory Changes Aimed at Easier Access
Recent rule proposals by the State Board of Medical Examiners (BME) and Board of Pharmacy (BOP) aim to streamline access to reproductive health services for both residents and visitors. One joint rule, set to move forward after a BME vote, will allow pharmacists to offer self-administered hormonal contraceptives without a prescription. The proposal implements legislation signed by Governor Murphy in January, and the services are expected to be available by 2024.
Budgetary Commitments and Security Measures
The state’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FY2024) budget also reflects New Jersey’s commitment to reproductive health. Over $30 million is allocated for family planning services, alongside $5 million for security upgrades and $10 million in zero-interest loans for facility enhancements. Applications for the Reproductive Health Security Grant Program are open through October 31.
Expanding the Provider Pool and Insurance Coverage
Another proposal by the BME aims to allow Certified Nurse Midwives and Certified Midwives to perform first trimester abortions, thus widening the provider pool. The FY2024 budget also includes a provision to increase Medicaid payment rates for reproductive health services, while the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance is initiating rulemaking to mandate coverage for abortion services.
The moves signify New Jersey’s broader strategy of securing reproductive rights amid a national backdrop of increasing restrictions. As Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin put it, “we are working hard to ensure that the promise of this law—increased access to hormonal contraceptives and a patient-centered approach to reproductive care—becomes the reality in New Jersey.”