SB 455 New Hampshire Senate · 2026 Regular Session

relative to coverage for GLP-1 medication under the state Medicaid plan.

SB 455 requires health insurance plans in New Hampshire to cover GLP-1 medications (used for weight management and diabetes) for people with a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with at least one qualifying health condition like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. This applies to all health benefit plans sold in the state, directly affecting covered individuals who meet these criteria and health insurance companies. The bill mandates coverage without prior authorization for these specific eligibility groups, expanding access beyond current typical commercial coverage standards. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.
Bill status failed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Nov 21, 2025 Last action May 14, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced As Amended by the Senate · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to shift its focus from requiring private commercial health insurers to cover GLP-1 medications to mandating coverage under the state Medicaid plan. This change alters the funding source from private premiums to public funds and expands eligibility criteria to include lower BMI thresholds and additional health conditions.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed from applying to private commercial health insurance plans to applying specifically to the state Medicaid program.
SCOPE

The bill now directs the Department of Health and Human Services to provide coverage under the state Medicaid plan instead of requiring private health carriers to provide coverage.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility criteria were expanded to include a BMI of 30 or higher, and a BMI of 27 or higher with specific weight-related comorbidities such as prediabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added for the Department of Health and Human Services to submit necessary amendments to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by January 1, 2027.

FISCAL

The fiscal impact analysis changed from 'indeterminable' to specific estimates, projecting approximately $2 million in state funds and $6.5 million in federal funds for the second half of FY27.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
4
Committee
5
May 1, 2026
Committee
Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/29/2026 (Vote 13-2; RC) HC 19 P. 17
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Work Session: 04/22/2026 10:00 am GP 229
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Introduced
Introduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 8 P. 114
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment # 2026-0836s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0836s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0836s, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8
upper
Nov 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 1
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.