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Bill

S 2941

Requires DOH to develop shared decision-making tool and establish maternal health care pilot program.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Angela McKnight and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey bill requires DOH to create a shared decision-making tool and maternal health pilot program to improve patient engagement and outcomes in pregnancy care.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
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Bill Summary · S 2941

Legislative bill overview

S 2941 directs New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create a shared decision-making tool for maternal health care and establish a pilot program to test its implementation. The bill aims to improve maternal health outcomes by giving pregnant individuals and healthcare providers a structured mechanism to jointly evaluate treatment options and preferences.

Why is this important

Maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States remain stubbornly high, with significant disparities across racial and socioeconomic groups. Shared decision-making tools have shown promise in improving health outcomes by increasing patient engagement, reducing unnecessary interventions, and ensuring care aligns with individual values and circumstances. This pilot could provide New Jersey data on whether such tools effectively reduce adverse maternal health events and improve satisfaction with care.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and funding: The bill requires DOH to develop and pilot the tool but doesn't specify funding mechanisms, raising questions about whether existing budgets will cover development or if new appropriations are needed
  • Scope and specificity unclear: The legislation doesn't define what conditions or decisions the tool should address, leaving significant discretion to DOH and potentially limiting accountability
  • Pilot program duration and evaluation: Without specified timelines, metrics, or mandatory reporting requirements, it's unclear how success will be measured or whether findings will drive broader policy changes

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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