Healthcare (Prescription Drugs)

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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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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in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 477: relative to increasing transparency in the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

SB 477 requires hospitals and other 340B-covered entities in New Hampshire to submit annual public reports to the Department of Health and Human Services by April 1. These reports must detail patient usage of 340B drugs (by insurance type), financial data including acquisition costs and reimbursements for drugs and other services, net revenue, and charity care costs. The bill mandates separate reporting for hospitals, their practice locations, and contracted pharmacies, along with CEO/CFO attestations confirming accuracy. It aims to increase transparency by making 340B program financial data publicly available and preventing duplicate discounts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires transparency in 340B program to ensure discounted drugs benefit patients, aligning with healthcare access and accountability goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 16, 2026

HB 1735: relative to the practice of pharmacy, the dispensing of certain medications by pharmacists, and permitting treatment of certain severe illness under the right to try act.

HB 1735 expands New Hampshire's Right to Try Act to allow patients with "qualifying severe illness" (defined as chronic and debilitating conditions meeting federal standards) to access investigational treatments, in addition to those with terminal illnesses. The bill amends definitions to include this new category, requiring patients to have exhausted standard FDA-approved treatments and be unable to join clinical trials. It maintains existing requirements like physician oversight, patient consent, and no direct manufacturer compensation for providers. This change directly affects patients with severe chronic conditions who currently lack access to investigational therapies under state law. The bill does not alter cost-sharing or data collection requirements for manufacturers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands patient access to investigational treatments for non-terminal severe illnesses, improving access to care when standard options fail per Right to Try Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 544: relative to managed care laws.

SB 544 prevents health insurance companies from removing drugs from their coverage lists mid-year. It requires insurers to continue covering any prescription drug that was approved under a policy until the enrollee's next plan renewal date, even if the drug is later removed from the formulary. This directly affects individuals enrolled in health benefit plans who rely on specific medications. Changes to drug coverage can only occur at renewal dates and must apply uniformly to all similar plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents mid-year removal of prescription drugs from insurance formularies, ensuring continuity of coverage and protecting patient access to necessary medications without sudden changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 1584: directing the department of health and human services to provide notice of medical and religious exemptions from immunization requirements and relative to notice of drug pricing options.

HB 1584 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to prominently display notices about medical and religious immunization exemptions on all vaccination-related materials, such as websites, brochures, or social media posts. It specifies that the notice must appear as visibly as main content - like a headline - and not just in footnotes. The bill also allows parents to use any written statement (not a specific form) to claim religious exemptions for their children's vaccinations. Additionally, the department must submit an annual report to the legislature detailing all promotional materials, compliance with the notice requirement, and any penalties assessed for noncompliance. This bill directly affects the Department of Health, schools, and healthcare providers distributing immunization information.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill simplifies religious exemption process (any written statement) and requires prominent notice, potentially increasing vaccine avoidance and weakening public health program effectiveness.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Public Health