2018 Health Policy Priority Legislation & Other Bills

This bill creates a commission that would look at drug price transparency and rebates for pharmaceutical benefit managers. New Futures supports this bill because it would shine a light on the costs of drugs so that the state and, in turn, the public can better understand the increasing costs of pharmaceuticals.
New Futures supports
Click here for bill text.
This bill was voted 'Ought to Pass" by both the NH House and Senate.

This bill establishes a commission to examine the feasibility of the New England states entering into a compact for a single-payer health care program.
New Futures supports
Click here for the bill text.
This bill was voted 'Inexpedient to Legislate' by the full NH House.

This bill allows an insured to pay the least amount for covered prescription medication under the managed care law.
New Futures supports
Click here for the bill text.
This bill was laid on the table by the NH Senate.

This bill declares that a contract between an insurance carrier or pharmacy benefit manager and a contracted pharmacy shall not contain a provision prohibiting the pharmacist from providing certain information to an insured.
New Futures supports
Click here for the bill text.
This bill was voted 'Ought to Pass" by both the NH House and Senate.

This bill prohibits balance billing under the managed care law.
New Futures supports
Balance billing occurs when a person with health insurance is treated by an out-of-network provider who has no negotiated payment rate with the insurer. The insurer pays what it determines to be fair compensation for the service, which is usually less than the provider has billed. Because there is no agreement between the provider and the insurer, the provider can balance bill the consumer for the difference between the amount charged and the amount paid by the insurer. New Futures supports this bill because it would hold consumers harmless, and not allow the out-of-network provider to balance bills in certain situations, thus eliminating surprise bills after the services are performed.
Click here for the bill text.
This bill was voted 'Ought to Pass" by both the NH House and Senate.

This bill extends the New Hampshire health protection program and requires the commissioner of the department of health and human services to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a waiver to develop a screening process for medically complex persons who are enrolled in the New Hampshire health protection program. It also allows the use of general funds to fund the New Hampshire health protection program.
The NHHPP has been, and still is, the single most important tool in combating New Hampshire’s opiate epidemic. To date it has assisted over 130,000 Granite Staters gain access to health care that they would have otherwise been unable to afford. Over 23,000 people have used their coverage through the program to access substance use disorder services. Additionally, the NHHPP has been instrumental in the Drug Court program and supports a vibrant economy by bringing federal tax dollars into the state and supporting New Hampshire’s workforce and small business community. New Futures supports this bill because it would continue the NHHPP and continue to allow New Hampshire’s more vulnerable residents access to necessary health care services.
New Futures supports
Click here for the bill text.
This bill was referred to interim study by the NH House.

This bill requires the commissioner of the department of health and human services to seek a waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reduce eligibility for benefits under the New Hampshire health protection program from 138 percent of the poverty level to 100 percent. This bill also requires the commissioner to develop and implement enhanced eligibility screening procedures.
New Futures opposes
Click here for the bill text.
This bill was voted 'Inexpedient to Legislate' by the full NH House.

This bill reauthorizes Medicaid Expansion. The bill includes provisions that will reauthorize the program, which currently provides access to quality and affordable health care for more than 50,000 New Hampshire residents, for 5 years, creating the New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care program. Under this program, those individuals eligible to receive benefits under the Medicaid program and newly eligible adults shall choose coverage offered by one of the managed care organizations contracted as vendors under the Medicaid program.
Medicaid Expansion is the single most important program to keep New Hampshire residents healthy. To date it has assisted over 130,000 Granite Staters gain access to health care that they would have otherwise been unable to afford. Over 23,000 people have used their coverage through the program to access substance use disorder services. Additionally, the program has been instrumental in allowing the statewide Drug Court program to operate and supports a vibrant economy by bringing federal tax dollars into the state and supporting New Hampshire’s workforce and small business community. New Futures supports this bill which continues to allow New Hampshire’s more vulnerable residents access to necessary health care services.
New Futures supports
Click here for the bill text.
This bill was passed by both the NH House and Senate and signed by the Governor.