Summary — A-1973 (Maher): Evaluation for Endometriosis in Pregnant and Postpartum Persons with Preeclampsia
Status
- Passed Assembly (69-0-7) March 24, 2025.
- Received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (May 12, 2025).
- Current version: 3rd reprint (committee amendments); effective 180 days after enactment.
Purpose / Intent
- To improve identification and management of endometriosis among pregnant and recently postpartum persons who have been diagnosed with preeclampsia and subsequently develop symptoms suggestive of endometriosis, by establishing education, evaluation, referral, and follow‑up requirements for obstetric care providers and Department of Health (DOH) responsibilities.
Key provisions
- Condition for evaluation/referral:
- If a pregnant person, or a person who has given birth, has been diagnosed with preeclampsia and later shows symptoms of endometriosis, licensed physicians and perinatal health care practitioners must refer that person for an endometriosis evaluation.
- Provider requirements (Board of Medical Examiners):
- Every obstetric care provider who is the primary caregiver for a pregnant person or who provides perinatal care within six weeks after birth must, in accordance with nationally recognized guidelines:
1. Provide DOH-developed educational information on endometriosis (warning signs and symptoms).
2. Inform the person of the benefits of being evaluated for endometriosis given a prior preeclampsia diagnosis and subsequent symptoms.
3. Evaluate the person for endometriosis or refer them to a qualified obstetric care provider for evaluation — unless the person refuses in writing.
- Department of Health responsibilities:
- Develop educational material/program on endometriosis for the specified population, in consultation with the Endometriosis Foundation of America and other community organizations as designated.
- Adopt implementing regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.
- Post‑evaluation care:
- If an evaluation results in a positive diagnosis, the obstetric care provider must discuss results and develop a treatment plan to minimize risks associated with endometriosis.
Notable amendments and changes
- Earlier versions included hospitals, licensed birthing centers, and federally qualified health centers; later committee amendments removed those institutional mandates and focused requirements on obstetric care providers/primary caregivers.
- Terminology changed from “screen/screening” to “evaluate/evaluation/diagnosis.”
- Allows written refusal by the patient; requires provision of information per nationally recognized guidance.
Who is affected
- Pregnant persons and persons within six weeks postpartum who have had preeclampsia and later display symptoms of endometriosis.
- Licensed obstetric care providers in New Jersey (primary caregivers providing perinatal care).
- Department of Health, Department of Human Services (Medicaid), and the State Board of Medical Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs) for program development, oversight, and enforcement.
Fiscal and implementation impact
- Office of Legislative Services estimates indeterminate annual state expenditure and revenue increases.
- DOH: indeterminate cost to develop and implement the education program; may leverage existing menstrual health campaign materials (FY2023 appropriation of $200,000 mentioned).
- Board of Medical Examiners: indeterminate enforcement/compliance costs.
- Medicaid: potential increase in costs for evaluations and treatment planning; federal Medicaid reimbursement may offset part of state costs. Exact impact unknown due to lack of data on overlap between endometriosis and preeclampsia and proprietary managed-care reimbursement rates.
Related legislation
- Companion bill: S-2218
- Prior-session related bill: A-9270
Sponsor
- Assemblyman Brian Maher (primary sponsor listed in metadata).
