When children receive recommended immunizations on time, our whole state benefits. High childhood vaccination rates help to create community immunity, which offers widespread protection against contagious diseases. In New Hampshire, immunizations are free to all families that want them through an innovative program: the New Hampshire Vaccine Association (NHVA). The NHVA does not set vaccine policy or create vaccine laws.
We must make sure that childhood immunizations are widely available, easy to access, and affordable to everyone.
Take Action
Email the House Ways & Means Committee
Call the Committee
Here is a sample script on HB 524:
"Hello Representative [Last Name]. My name is [your name here] and I live in [town].
I am calling to ask you to oppose HB 524.
- The New Hampshire Vaccine Association is an extremely cost-efficient model which has been replicated in 14 other states.
- The program saves 30% annually on childhood immunization purchases and has total administrative costs of less than one percent (<1%), which are covered 100% by commercial insurers and group health plans administered by third-party administrators.
- The NH Insurance Department’s fiscal note states that there would be a negative impact to the health insurance market of $7.5M due to increased premiums. It would likely be higher, given that administration costs for healthcare providers and payers would increase substantially, and more than 200 provider sites and 90 healthcare payers would need to develop and implement contracts for childhood vaccines.
- New Hampshire currently has the lowest healthcare premiums in the individual market nationwide. The NH Insurance Department’s fiscal note and testimony state that health premiums would increase if HB 524 passes.
- If HB 524 passes, it will not save the state money. It would make healthcare more unaffordable for employers and consumers in terms of premiums, and would increase publicly funded health care premiums for the State employee, county, and municipal health plans.
- [Include any other personal remarks you'd like!]
Thank you for your time and consideration on this issue."
Committee Members:
Chairman John Janigan: (603) 770-8230
Vice Chair Jordan Ulery: (603) 882-8979
Clerk Bill Ohm: (603) 891-2306
Rep. Susan Almy:
Rep. Bill Bolton: (603) 236-1812
Rep. Scott Bryer:
Rep. Brian Cole: (603) 670-8045
Rep. Susan Elberger:
Rep. Mary Ford: (603) 722-5775
Rep. Dennis Malloy: (603) 970-1827
Rep. Mary Murphy: (603) 265-1978
Rep. Thomas Oppel: (603) 217-7778
Rep. Tom Schamberg: (603) 715-6778
Rep. Geoff Smith: (603) 651-1137
Rep. Steven Smith: (603) 826-5940
Rep. Julius Soti: (603) 404-1115
Rep. Thomas Southworth: (603) 742-0556
Rep. Terry Spahr: (610) 420-1787
Rep. James Tierney: (603) 636-2889
Need Help? Contact Sarah Cain (Community Engagement Coordinator) for help taking action or Kate Frey (Vice President of Advocacy) with policy questions.
About the Bill
HB 524 would end our state's current system for providing access to vaccines for children. Currently, insurance companies pay money into a central fund (run by the NH Vaccine Association) that buys vaccines for all children in the state. If this bill passes, doctors' offices would need to buy immunizations upfront and then bill insurance companies directly for children with private insurance. Families will face an increase in fees and insurance premiums. Additionally, immunizations will be harder to find, as small practice providers will be unable to afford the expenses associated with maintaining their own inventories.
NHPR: Insurers warn of increased premiums if NH vaccine program is gutted
Bill Status
The House Ways and Means Committee will hold a work session on HB 524, a retained bill from last session, on October 6 at Granite Place (1 Granite Place,
Concord, NH).
Bill Progress:
March 25: House Ways and Means Committee votes to retain HB 524. It will not advance in 2025, but must come back in 2026 for a vote.
March 18: House Ways and Means Committee Public Hearing (over 1,300 people signed in to oppose)
March 6: House of Representatives votes 189-181 to pass HB 524, bill moves to House Ways and Means Committee.
Feb 19: Committee Recommendation OTP (10-8)
Feb 12: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs Public Hearing (over 3,000 people signed in to oppose).
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