2018 Access to Treatment Priority Legislation & Other Bills

This bill extends the suspension of prior authorization requirement for a community mental health program on drugs used to treat mental illness. This would reduce a barrier to treatment as the current process of prior authorization requirements is cumbersome, leading to some providers electing not to prescribe medications. This bill would address this barrier.
New Futures supports HB 572
Click here for the bill text.
This bill was voted "Inexpedient to Legislate" by the full NH House.

This bill requires the commissioner of the department of health and human services to establish guidelines for the operation of needle exchange programs in New Hampshire. This bill will reduce the incidents of certain communicable diseases such as Hepatitis C.
New Futures supports
Click here for the bill text.
This bill was voted "Inexpedient to Legislate" by the full NH House.

This bill would take a number of steps to remove barriers to entry to the behavioral health workforce. It would establish a system of substance use disorder treatment services under DHHS, allowing designated SUD treatment providers to bill both Medicaid and private insurance for services rendered by individuals who are working toward their hours of clinical supervision required for licensure. Further, it would allow candidates for licensure for Clinical Social Workers, Clinical Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists to meet their clinical experience hours required in less than two years, among other steps.
New Futures supports
Click here for the bill text.
This bill will be sent to Committee of Conference for the House and Senate to come to an agreement.

Making an appropriation to the department of health and human services for the Sununu health services center and relative to infants born with substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
New Futures supports the second provision of the bill, which would direct health care providers to work with families and the N.H. Division of Public Health to develop a safe plan of care, as required by federal law, for any child born with substance misuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. This would correct the flawed implementation of SB 515, which deterred women from seeking prenatal and obstetric care.
Click here for the bill text.
This bill will be sent to Committee of Conference for the House and Senate to come to an agreement.