Healthcare

failed · New Hampshire · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 545: relative to financial eligibility for the Medicare savings program.

SB 545 removes the asset limit (resource test) for New Hampshire's Medicare Savings Program, allowing seniors previously denied due to savings or assets to qualify. It also seeks federal approval to extend the low-income Medicare Part D subsidy, helping residents cover prescription drug costs. The bill directly affects approximately 2,033 additional seniors who were previously ineligible under the asset rule. This change would make program eligibility solely based on income, not savings or assets, with estimated annual state costs of $2.3 million from general funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves asset limits for Medicare savings, expanding coverage to 2,033 additional seniors and extending low-income drug subsidies, directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Prescription Drugs Tags Seniors

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signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 453: authorizing advanced practice registered nurses and physician associates to make certain certifications.

SB 453 allows advanced practice registered nurses and physician associates to certify two specific medical needs currently only permitted for physicians. It extends vehicle equipment waivers for people with disabilities from 2 to 4 years when such nurses or associates certify "lasting medical necessity." It also permits these professionals to exempt children from certain immunizations if they certify that a specific vaccine could harm the child’s health. These changes update existing laws (RSA 266:61-a and RSA 141-C:20-c) to expand who can make these certifications, directly affecting disabled drivers seeking vehicle modifications and parents navigating school immunization requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands healthcare access by allowing advanced practice nurses/associates to certify medical needs and immunization exemptions, increasing provider capacity and patient rights in healthcare delivery.95% confidence

failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1174: requiring all on-premises and off-premises licensees and state liquor stores to post visible signage warning of the potential health risks associated with alcohol use.

HB 1174 requires all bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and state liquor outlets to display a visible sign stating: "According to the Surgeon General, drinking alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk and women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects." The sign must be placed prominently in a contrasting color on the premises. This applies to both on-premises (e.g., bars) and off-premises (e.g., grocery store liquor counters) licensees, as well as state liquor stores. The law takes effect 60 days after passage and has a minimal fiscal impact under $10,000 annually.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates alcohol health warnings per Surgeon General, promoting public health awareness to reduce cancer/birth defect risks, aligning with preventive healthcare initiatives.85% confidence

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in committee · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1671: relative to prohibiting state Medicaid payments to facilities that discriminate against employees, students, or trainees for exercising lawful medical or religious vaccine exemptions.

HB 1671 prohibits New Hampshire Medicaid-funded healthcare facilities from discriminating against employees, students, or trainees who have valid medical or religious vaccine exemptions. Specifically, it bans facilities from firing, threatening, or otherwise punishing these individuals for exercising their lawful exemptions. If the Department of Health and Human Services finds a violation, it must withhold Medicaid payments to the facility and may suspend or terminate the facility from the Medicaid program. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits discrimination against healthcare employees/students using lawful vaccine exemptions in Medicaid facilities, protecting their rights and ensuring non-discriminatory employment practices within healthcare settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 478: relative to strengthening prescription drug affordability and pharmacy benefits manager accountability.

SB 478 aims to lower prescription drug costs for New Hampshire residents by regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). It bans "spread pricing" (where PBMs keep the difference between what they pay pharmacies and charge insurers), requires all manufacturer rebates to reduce consumer out-of-pocket costs or premiums, and prohibits retroactive fees on clean claims. The bill also mandates transparent pricing lists, allows audits to prevent misuse, and prioritizes the lowest net-cost drugs in formularies. These changes directly affect patients, pharmacies, insurers, and PBMs by making drug pricing more transparent and reducing hidden costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates PBMs to lower drug costs, bans spread pricing, and requires rebates to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 547: relative to regulation and transparency of pharmacy benefit manager practices.

SB 547 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in New Hampshire to increase transparency and fairness in drug pricing. The bill requires PBMs to act in the best interest of health insurance companies (their clients) and bans them from keeping profits from "spread pricing" - where PBMs charge health plans more than they pay pharmacies for drugs. It defines key terms like "affiliate" and "revenue," and mandates that PBMs pass all rebates from drug manufacturers to health plans rather than retaining them. This directly affects PBMs, health insurers, and pharmacies, aiming to address high drug costs (23% of healthcare spending) and patient cost concerns (25% skip doses due to expense).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates PBMs to prevent spread pricing and mandate rebate passing to insurers, lowering drug costs and increasing transparency in healthcare pricing systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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failed · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 484: prohibiting Medicaid premiums and limiting Medicaid expansion cost sharing.

This bill eliminates existing premiums for New Hampshire's Medicaid programs (Granite Advantage for adults and CHIP for children) and limits any cost-sharing fees under expanded Medicaid to $5 per service. It repeals current premium requirements that generated approximately $16 million annually in state revenue, requiring a $16 million appropriation in FY2027 to offset this loss. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with the $5 cost-sharing cap applying starting October 1, 2028. The bill directly affects current Medicaid recipients by removing premium payments and modifies state budgeting for the Medicaid program.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesEliminates $16M annual Medicaid premium revenue and mandates $16M FY2027 appropriation, directly reducing state revenue and increasing budget expenditure.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates Medicaid premiums and caps cost-sharing at $5/service, reducing financial barriers to healthcare access under public health program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue Children's Health Insurance Medicaid

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passed · New Hampshire · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 1117: relative to the right of licensed health care providers to freely communicate with patients, colleagues, and the public about medical information, emerging therapies, and treatment options.

HB 1117, the "Health Care Provider Free Speech and Innovation Act," protects licensed health care providers (such as doctors, nurses, and therapists) from disciplinary action, sanctions, or legal liability when discussing medical information, emerging therapies, or off-label treatments with patients, colleagues, or the public. This protection applies only if the communication is made in good faith and not knowingly false or misleading. The bill also prohibits retaliation from licensing boards, employers, or insurers for such communications and allows providers to recommend innovative therapies with patient consent, provided they are not legally prohibited. It does not require insurers or employers to cover non-standard treatments but aims to accelerate the adoption of medical innovations by safeguarding open dialogue. The law directly affects health care providers and their ability to share evolving medical knowledge without fear of punishment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare providers' free speech on medical information, enabling open patient communication and access to treatment options without disciplinary action.90% confidence

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signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SB 454: requiring the department of health and human services to update existing relevant public health outreach programs by incorporating information to aid public understanding and awareness of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

SB 454 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to update existing public health outreach programs with specific information about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It directs the department to incorporate content for the public on early signs, early detection benefits, links to other health conditions, and brain-healthy lifestyle tips, while also adding provider-focused materials on cognitive assessments, Medicare wellness visits, and FDA-approved treatments. The bill mandates biennial reports starting in 2027 to track implementation progress. This update applies to current outreach programs without creating new initiatives, with minimal estimated costs under $10,000 annually.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates updating public health outreach with Alzheimer's/dementia education and provider resources, advancing public awareness and early detection access within healthcare services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Public Health

signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 408: relative to health insurance coverage for prosthetics.

SB 408 requires health insurance policies in New Hampshire to cover prosthetic devices for adults over 19, expanding existing coverage that previously applied only to children under 19. The bill mandates coverage for activity-specific prosthetics (like those for sports) but limits this to one device every five years. It also requires insurers to cover necessary materials, instruction, and repairs for medically needed prosthetics, without annual limits. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies to most group health insurance plans, excluding Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands health insurance coverage for prosthetics to adults over 19, mandates activity-specific device coverage (limited to one every five years), and removes annual limits on repairs/materials.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance