New Jersey residents consistently support public health policies grounded in science, including strong vaccination policies that protect individuals and communities alike. They value investments that strengthen health care for everyone — from primary care and prevention to academic research and innovation — and they support access to reproductive health care and sustained efforts to reduce disparities.
As we move into 2026, the Quality Institute will continue its leadership role bringing together all sectors of health care to advance policies that support these priorities — especially as our state’s values increasingly diverge from federal directives. As a nonpartisan, nonprofit member organization, we are uniquely positioned to convene, to listen, and to help chart the best path forward.
Our role has never been more essential. In the year ahead, we will work closely with our members and partners to protect and advance New Jersey values and priorities. That means supporting residents insured through Medicaid amid looming federal cuts under HR 1. We will bring trusted experts together to counter vaccine misinformation and safeguard New Jersey children and communities from preventable disease.
We will also continue to drive payment reform, with a particular focus on strengthening primary care, including oral health and mental health – head to toe. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has expressed her commitment to primary care, and we look forward to working with her and her administration. Even in the face of difficult budget decisions, primary care must become the state’s health care priority to achieve better outcomes and to spend scarce funds more wisely.
In June 2026, we will release a major statewide initiative focused on children’s mental health: A Clearer Path to Care: Mapping New Jersey’s Children’s Mental Health System. The far-reaching project seeks to identify gaps, duplication, and disconnects across the system and to offer a clearer, more coordinated path for families navigating mental health care. This work is an on-going collaboration with families, educators, mental health providers, State departments, and many stakeholders.
We also are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Mayors Wellness Campaign, a community health initiative in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. The campaign provides mayors and local volunteers with technical support and resources to make their communities healthier places to live, work, play, and age. We will recognize the anniversary at our May conference, which will focus on the campaign’s impact, future, and the broader importance of community to health. Look for more details to come.
Finally, we will continue our work to improve maternal and infant health and to advance health equity. New Jersey has made meaningful progress in recent years under the Murphy Administration. But we are not done. The Maternity Action Plan for NJ (MAP4NJ) lays out four areas of focus: building the maternal workforce; using data; reforming payment to drive quality and equity; and focusing on social determinants of health.
Throughout 2026 we will continue this work. Soon we will send a survey to everyone who has worked with us on MAP asking them to help us prioritize the work ahead. We’ll also continue to launch TeamBirth NJ in more hospitals throughout the state and will expand our quality improvement with hospitals and community members across the state. We remain committed to eliminating disparities and improving outcomes — ensuring New Jersey remains one of the best places in the nation to give birth.
The year ahead will be one of challenges and opportunities, all grounded in our shared commitment to improve the safety, quality, and affordability of health care for everyone.