Healthcare (Medicaid)

passed · New Hampshire · Senate Aug 21, 2026

SB 606: relative to insurance coverage for biomarker testing.

SB 606 requires health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of diseases when the test has clinical utility and is supported by evidence like FDA approvals, drug labels, or medical guidelines. It applies to all health benefit plans issued on or after January 1, 2027, and mandates Medicaid coverage under similar standards. The bill limits disruptions in care (e.g., requiring multiple biopsies) and sets strict timelines for prior authorization decisions - 72 hours for urgent cases and 14 days for non-urgent requests. It also ensures patients and providers have a clear, accessible process to appeal coverage denials through health insurers' websites.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance/Medicaid coverage for biomarker testing, expanding patient access to evidence-based diagnostics without prior authorization barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

Track

failed · New Hampshire · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 646: relative to mental health standards of care.

SB 646 requires New Hampshire insurance companies to provide equal coverage for 9 specific biologically-based mental illnesses (like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression) as they do for physical health conditions. It mandates that coverage terms and reimbursement rates for these mental health services must align with New Hampshire Medicaid's scope and rates, not just federal parity standards. The bill also requires insurers to publicly report comparative analyses of mental health vs. medical provider reimbursements and ensures reimbursement rates for mental health providers are at least as favorable as those for primary care physicians. This applies to all health insurers, nonprofit health service corporations, and health maintenance organizations operating in New Hampshire, with enforcement by the state insurance commissioner. The bill does not provide new state funding for implementation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for 9 mental illnesses as physical health, aligning with Medicaid standards to strengthen access and parity for mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Primary Care

Track

in committee · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1671: relative to prohibiting state Medicaid payments to facilities that discriminate against employees, students, or trainees for exercising lawful medical or religious vaccine exemptions.

HB 1671 prohibits New Hampshire Medicaid-funded healthcare facilities from discriminating against employees, students, or trainees who have valid medical or religious vaccine exemptions. Specifically, it bans facilities from firing, threatening, or otherwise punishing these individuals for exercising their lawful exemptions. If the Department of Health and Human Services finds a violation, it must withhold Medicaid payments to the facility and may suspend or terminate the facility from the Medicaid program. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits discrimination against healthcare employees/students using lawful vaccine exemptions in Medicaid facilities, protecting their rights and ensuring non-discriminatory employment practices within healthcare settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

failed · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 484: prohibiting Medicaid premiums and limiting Medicaid expansion cost sharing.

This bill eliminates existing premiums for New Hampshire's Medicaid programs (Granite Advantage for adults and CHIP for children) and limits any cost-sharing fees under expanded Medicaid to $5 per service. It repeals current premium requirements that generated approximately $16 million annually in state revenue, requiring a $16 million appropriation in FY2027 to offset this loss. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with the $5 cost-sharing cap applying starting October 1, 2028. The bill directly affects current Medicaid recipients by removing premium payments and modifies state budgeting for the Medicaid program.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesEliminates $16M annual Medicaid premium revenue and mandates $16M FY2027 appropriation, directly reducing state revenue and increasing budget expenditure.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates Medicaid premiums and caps cost-sharing at $5/service, reducing financial barriers to healthcare access under public health program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue Children's Health Insurance Medicaid

Track

died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1798: relative to the coverage of diapers under the state Medicaid plan.

HB 1798 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a federal waiver by November 1, 2026, to add diaper coverage under Medicaid for infants' first year of life. The bill directly affects Medicaid-eligible infants (approximately 4,000 annually) and their families, providing coverage for 100 diapers per month during the child's first 12 months. It appropriates $100,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund the program, with federal matching funds expected to cover most costs. Implementation depends on federal CMS approval, with a target start date of May 1, 2027, if approved.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100,000 for Medicaid diaper coverage, funding an essential public service for vulnerable families.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to include diapers for infants, increasing access to essential health-related supplies under public health program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1744: relative to oversight and reporting requirements for health insurance carriers regarding mental health coverage.

HB 1744 requires health insurance companies operating in New Hampshire to submit annual reports by March 1st starting in 2026, detailing their mental health and substance use disorder coverage practices. These reports must include data on claims denial rates, average wait times for appointments, provider network availability, and compliance with federal parity laws. The insurance commissioner will review these reports and make de-identified data publicly available, while the state Medicaid program must also report annually starting in 2027 on similar metrics. This bill establishes new transparency requirements without authorizing new funding or positions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to report mental health coverage compliance, parity adherence, and access metrics, enhancing transparency and accountability for patient access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Mental Health

Track

failed · New Hampshire · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 543: relative to long-term care eligibility and making an appropriation therefor.

SB 543 establishes provisional eligibility for Medicaid nursing facility services in New Hampshire, directly affecting long-term care applicants and nursing facilities. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to grant temporary coverage within 90 days of application submission if a facility agrees to comply with program terms, without waiting for full application completion. This provisional status lasts up to 18 months or until a final eligibility decision, with facilities receiving payments during this period and required to reimburse funds if final approval is denied. The bill appropriates $1 for the 2026-2027 biennium to fund this program and creates two new positions within the department to manage it (per RSA 167:8).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for Medicaid nursing facility provisional coverage, directly funding essential long-term care services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes provisional Medicaid nursing facility eligibility, reducing wait times for long-term care access and expanding patient coverage under public health program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Long-Term Care Medicaid

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 13, 2026

HB 1760: repealing the directive that the department of health and human services seek a waiver to establish pharmacy copayment and premium requirements under the state Medicaid plan and making an appropriation therefor.

HB 1760 repeals a requirement that the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services seek a waiver to impose pharmacy copayments and premiums on Medicaid beneficiaries, including those in the New Hampshire Advantage Health Care Program and the Children's Health Insurance Program. It removes specific law sections (2025, 141:65; RSA 126-AA:2-a; and RSA 126-A:3, IX) that would have mandated these cost-sharing measures. The bill appropriates funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to cover the resulting revenue shortfall for the 2026-2027 biennium. This change directly eliminates new costs for Medicaid participants while maintaining program funding stability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals Medicaid copayment requirement and appropriates state funds to cover costs, directly funding Medicaid without beneficiary cost-sharing.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals Medicaid copayment/premium mandates, eliminating cost barriers for beneficiaries and improving access to care under state Medicaid programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue Children's Health Insurance Medicaid

Track