Rep. Dave Nagel

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summarySB 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).

Maddy summarySB 483 provides $15 million in state General Fund money to the Department of Health and Human Services if federal TANF funds cannot be used for child care employer grants. This backup funding would directly support New Hampshire child care employers through recruitment and benefit grants, helping them attract and retain staff. The bill triggers this state appropriation only if the federal government fails to approve or denies the use of TANF funds for this purpose by July 1, 2026. The $15 million is nonlapsing, meaning it remains available for use in fiscal year 2027 without needing annual reapproval.

Maddy summaryHB 1052 amends New Hampshire's licensing requirements for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs) by adding a new pathway to licensure. It allows individuals with an internationally certified alcohol and drug counselor credential and 6,000 hours of supervised work experience to qualify for LADC licensure without needing an associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field. This change specifically removes the higher education requirement for applicants using this pathway, as outlined in the bill's amendment to RSA 330-C:17. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage and directly affects professionals with international certification and substantial work experience who lack the standard educational qualifications.

Maddy summaryHB 1794 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to study how recent Medicaid changes affect residents' healthcare access. The department must prepare a report detailing impacts on covered individuals, healthcare providers (including hospitals and community clinics), timely care access, waiver program participants, and state budget effects. The report must cover specific areas like the number of affected residents and potential facility closures, with an interim version due November 1, 2026, and a final report by July 1, 2027. This bill directly affects New Hampshire residents relying on Medicaid and healthcare organizations providing services to them. It mandates a factual assessment of existing changes without altering Medicaid policy itself.

Maddy summaryHB 1463 requires New Hampshire's insurance department to conduct a detailed analysis of how health insurance companies comply with state laws governing managed care and medical review practices. The department must consult with community physicians and health systems across all counties to assess compliance and recommend penalties for non-compliant insurers. The report must be submitted to state leaders by November 1, 2026, and the bill does not provide new funding, potentially requiring the department to use existing resources or General Fund money for the analysis. This bill directly affects insurers, the insurance department, and healthcare providers consulted during the review.

Maddy summaryHB 1558 requires drivers in New Hampshire to provide proof of insurance meeting minimum coverage limits (as defined in RSA 264:20) or a financial responsibility certificate (like a surety bond) at the time of vehicle registration. It directly affects all vehicle owners registering or renewing registration in the state. The key provision mandates immediate suspension of a driver’s license and registration if they cannot show proof during a lawful traffic stop. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and modifies existing law to enforce financial responsibility before accidents occur, rather than solely after.

Maddy summaryHB 1664 directs New Hampshire’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to remove the Hannah Duston Memorial and its historic marker in Boscawen. The bill states the memorial distorts history by not acknowledging Native American perspectives and glorifies the violent act of scalping and killing 10 Native people (including six children), as described in the memorial’s legend. The department must remove the memorial and marker, with options to destroy them or store them for potential future display in an accurate, objective manner that respects all historical participants. This bill specifically targets the physical memorial site, not broader historical narratives or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 648 proposes to require health insurance plans to cover glucose monitoring devices for individuals with diabetes. The bill would mandate coverage for necessary monitoring equipment, directly affecting policyholders with diabetes and their insurers. Currently pending in committee with a referral for interim study (as of November 13, 2025), the bill has not yet been enacted. Specific coverage details or device types are not provided in the available context.

Maddy summaryHB 241 addresses opioid treatment alternatives, focusing on expanding access to non-opioid pain management options. The bill aims to directly affect patients with chronic pain and healthcare providers by establishing new guidelines for treatment referrals. Key provisions include requiring health insurers to cover FDA-approved non-opioid alternatives and creating a state-funded pilot program for community health centers to implement these alternatives. The committee report (10/28/2025, 17-0) recommended passage with an amendment, but the bill's specific mechanisms beyond these general requirements are not detailed in the provided context.