TRENTON, NJ — A recent legislative move by Phil Murphy aligned Democrats in the New Jersey legislature seeks to extend NJ FamilyCare coverage to include pregnant undocumented immigrants and their dependent children up to the age of one year, who reside within the state but are ineligible under existing law.
This extension allows pregnant undocumented individuals to receive full NJ FamilyCare benefits until 60 days post-pregnancy. Currently, undocumented immigrants are limited to Medicaid coverage for emergency medical conditions only, which encompasses emergency labor and delivery.
The legislation identifies an “undocumented immigrant” as someone residing in the state without the ability to prove lawful presence in the United States according to the state’s Medicaid statute.
Furthermore, it mandates the Commissioner of Human Services to seek federal financial support for these extended NJ FamilyCare benefits. The implementation of these benefits awaits federal approval for financial participation or the allocation of state funds specifically designated for this purpose, ensuring compliance with federal law.