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Committee advances bill to preserve private insurance for certain adults with disabilities
Summary
Assembly Bill 4934 was amended and released to permit continued dependent coverage under a parent's private plan for certain adult children with disabilities when a parent's plan changes; families and disability advocates said the measure prevents loss of provider access and reduces pressure on publicly funded programs.
The committee amended and released Assembly Bill 4934, which would require continuation of dependent coverage under certain circumstances for adult children with disabilities who are 26 years of age or older and are chiefly dependent on a subscriber for support and maintenance.
Testimony came from parents and advocates who described the severe, lifelong care needs of people with profound autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Pat Miller, who identified herself as the new state chair for the National Council For Severe Autism New Jersey Chapter and mother of an adult child with profound autism, described the high prevalence of comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions among the population and the barriers families face when coverage is lost. Richard Tepper, a physician and parent, described his son’s dependence on applied behavioral analysis (ABA) services and urged passage to avoid forcing families onto Medicaid, where provider access can be limited.
Proponents argued the bill protects continuity of care and reduces pressure on taxpayer‑funded programs by preserving private insurance access for those who had been grandfathered into plans prior to turning 26. The committee moved to amend and release the bill and the clerk announced the bill was amended and released.
