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.
About the Bills
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
When we can prevent a disease through immunization, it helps children in New Hampshire stay on track with their learning and development. All Granite Staters benefit from widespread community immunity to diseases like tetanus, smallpox, and rubella thanks to vaccines.
However, two bills would have impacts on vaccine access. HB 357 would remove Hepatitis B, varicella, and Hib immunizations from the schedule in 2026 and would limit the state health commissioner’s ability to add new vaccines to the schedule in cases of disease outbreak, while HB 358 would remove the requirement that parents must complete a form to opt their of children out of vaccinations due to religious exeption.
Take Action
Email House Committee Members: Oppose HB 524
Call Committee Members about HB 524 - script provided!
A phone call is the most effective way to contact a legislator!
Below, please find a list of numbers for House Ways and Means Committee members.
• Committee Chair: Rep. John Janigian (Republican - Salem): 603-770-8230
• Vice Chair: Rep. Jordan Ulery (Republican - Hudson): 603-882-8979
• Clerk: Rep. Bill Ohm (Republican - Nashua): 603-891-2306
• Rep. Susan Almy (Democrat - Lebanon): 603-359-5557 (Mobile), 603-448-4769 (Home)
• Rep. Cyril Aures (Republican - Chichester): 603-715-4580
• Rep. Bill Bolton (Democrat - Plymouth): 603-236-1812
• Rep. Scott Bryer (Republican - Northwood): 603-943-9396, 603-545-9721
• Rep. Susan Elberger (Democrat - Nashua): 781-264-1729, 781-674-2304
• Rep. Mary Ford (Republican - Chester): 603-722-5775
• Rep. Dennis Malloy (Democrat - Greenland): 603-970-1827
• Rep. Mary Murphy (Republican - Francestown): 603-265-1978
• Rep. Thomas Oppel (D - Canaan): 603-304-6767
• Rep. Thomas Schamberg (Democrat - Wilmot): 603-715-6778
• Rep. Geoffrey Smith (Democrat - Dover): 603-770-9219, 603-953-7253
• Rep. Steven Smith (Republican - Charlestown): 603-826-5940
• Rep. Julius Soti (Republican - Windham): 603-404-1115
• Rep. Thomas Southworth (Democrat - Dover): 603-742-0556
• Rep. Terry Spahr (Democrat - Hanover): 610-420-1787
• Rep. James Tierney (Republican - Groveton): 603-636-2889
Many advocates find it helpful to prepare before making a call. Please find a sample script below.
"Hello Representative [Last Name]. My name is [your name here] and I live [your 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 increase 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 has the lowest healthcare premiums for the individual market in the country today. 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 will 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."
If no one answers, leave a message with your name, town, phone number, and brief remarks.
Remember: Representatives list their personal numbers — be mindful of the time when you are calling!
Bill Status
HB 524: The House Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on HB 524 on Tuesday, March 18. The Committee is expected to vote on a recommendation for the
bill soon.
Bill Progress:
Feb 12: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs Public Hearing (over 3,000 people signed in to oppose).
Feb 19: Committee Recommendation OTP (10-8)
March 6: House of Representatives votes 189-181 to pass HB 524, bill moves to House Ways and Means Committee.
March 18: House Ways and Means Committee Public Hearing (over 1,300 people signed in to oppose)
HB 357 and HB 358 both received "Ought to Pass" recommendations from the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee. The bills will next go to the House floor for votes.
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