ASSEMBLY STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2651

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JANUARY 23, 1997

      The Assembly State Government Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 2651.

      This bill requires the State Health Benefits Program to provide coverage for a minimum of 72 hours of inpatient care following a mastectomy and a minimum of 48 hours inpatient care following a lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer. The bill also provides that a carrier under the program shall not require a health care provider to obtain authorization from the carrier for prescribing 72 or 48 hours, as appropriate, of inpatient care.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee adopted amendments to this bill to conform the description of the benefits mandated under the legislation to the description of those benefits contained in a comparable measure (Assembly committee substitute for Assembly, Nos. 10, 2551, 2524 and 2575, now on 2nd reading in the General Assembly) applicable to health benefits contracts issued by State-licensed health insurance providers (hospital service corporations, medical service corporations and health service corporations) or under any of various State-regulated health plans and policies.