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Hospital association urges collaboration, not a new structure, as committee advances regional-preparedness bill
Summary
The New Jersey Hospital Association told the Assembly committee that existing Health Care Coalitions (HCCs) and state-NJHA coordination already support hospital preparedness; NJHA cautioned that statutorily restructuring regional systems could be disruptive. The committee advanced AB4579 to second reference after discussion.
The New Jersey Hospital Association told the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee that while it supports the goal of improving hospital preparedness, the state’s existing Health Care Coalition (HCC) structure—supported by federal ASPR/HPP funding and coordinated with NJHA—already provides regional planning, exercises, and data sharing. Theresa Edelstein, senior vice president at NJHA’s Center for Partnerships, testified that legislating a new statewide structure could disrupt progress and that NJHA has been selected by the Department of Health to support HCC functions.
"The HCCs have been and are doing this work," Edelstein said, describing regional coalitions that bring together acute-care hospitals, EMS providers, public health and long-term care to plan for surges, supply-chain disruptions and cybersecurity threats. She told the committee NJHA operates a data platform, Juvare, to enhance situational awareness and analytics during incidents.
Evan Collier, legislative analyst for NJHA, introduced the association’s witnesses and said NJHA "shared the sponsor's commitment to ensuring that our hospitals, health care systems, and broader health care community are prepared for any public emergency that may arise." Edelstein noted NJHA’s role in carrying out Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) activities funded through the federal Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
Committee members asked how prepared hospitals are for another COVID-like event and whether the bill could jeopardize federal funding. Edelstein said she could not speak to the preparedness of every hospital but that the coalitions do “a tremendous job” executing plans regionally and that cooperation with the Department of Health has improved, citing a recent statewide coalition meeting with more than 300 participants. On federal funding risk, Edelstein said she did not believe the bill’s language would put ASPR funding in jeopardy.
After questioning, the committee moved the bill to a second reference and encouraged NJHA to continue working with the sponsor on amendments. Roll call recorded affirmative votes from Assemblyman DePhillips, Assemblyman Miller, Assemblywoman Simmons, Assemblyman Maranko, Vice Chair Danielson and Chairman Tully.
