a. Significant State resources are invested in both the health and social service sectors in New Jersey, and the development of improvements in how Medicaid benefits and payment models interact with social services would provide a benefit to all New Jersey residents.

b. A more regional approach to care, involving the coordinated provision of person-centered health care in combination with robust connections to social services and community resources, is required at both the patient and organizational levels.

c. It is in New Jersey’s best interest to establish a regional network of non-profit organizations that partner with Medicaid and State agencies to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes and the delivery of care for Medicaid recipients in the State. Such non-profit organizations have the capacity to become local innovation engines that use real-time actionable data and diverse stakeholder input to develop and implement innovative models for the delivery of effective, person-centered care.

d. It is both reasonable and appropriate for the Department of Human Services to designate and recognize existing accountable care organizations as Regional Health Hubs, and to establish new Regional Health Hubs in appropriate areas of the State, as provided by this act, in order to enable the State to:

(1) identify existing and emerging threats to health and wellbeing, and problems with the State’s regional health care delivery systems, and identify and determine how to implement solutions to those problems;

(2) promote and facilitate cooperation, coordination, innovation, and goal setting by and among relevant stakeholders;

(3) evaluate the progress that has been made in achieving identified goals and priorities; and

(4) otherwise encourage and enable the overall improvement of the health of New Jersey residents and the delivery of health care throughout the State.

L.2019, c.517, s.1.