New Hampshire 2009 Health Policy Priorities

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• FY 2010-2011 Budget
• Young Adults Health Coverage
• Informed State Health Reforms
• Uncompensated Care Fund Study Commission
• Commission to Study Prevention of Childhood Tooth Decay
• Healthy Kids Silver Insurance Provider Change
• Affordable Coverage for the Small Business Community

• The $11.5 billion biennial state budget (Chapter 143) for fiscal years 2010 and 2011 took effect July 1, 2009.
• The budget includes an amendment requiring the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to analyze and present to the legislature options for creating an uncompensated care pool to support providers that provide a disproportionate share of uncompensated care. This provision is similar to SB 158 but would advance an uncompensated care pool on a faster timeline.  
• The current budget also includes cuts to provider rates and increases to CHIP premiums (a $7 increase for children from families with income between 185% and 250% FPL and a $9 increase for families with incomes between 250% and 300% FPL). 

• An Act Relative to Eligibility for the Healthy Kids Program (Chapter 224) was signed by the Governor on July 16, 2009 that expands health insurance coverage options for young adults (ages 19 to 26), allowing them to buy in to the state's Healthy Kids Silver (CHIP) program without state or federal subsidy.
• The bill passed the Senate in March and the House in June. The version of SB 115 that the House passed includes some changes from the version that the Senate passed, and it is likely that the Senate will request a committee of conference.

Additional Information: NH Voices for Health

• Chaptered Law 307 authorizes the state to collect privacy-protected information from health care providers about the care delivered to the uninsured and create a database on uninsured patient care, similar to the existing database on insured patient care. This will provide state leaders with the information they need to make informed decisions about reforming the state's health care system.
• The bill passed the Senate by a voice vote in March and passed the House in June. The bill was signed by the Governor July 31, 2009 and will go into effect January 1, 2010.
  

Additional Information: NH Voices for Health

• SB 158 would create a commission to study the feasibility of creating an uncompensated care fund in NH.  The fund would support NH's safety net providers, including community health centers and hospitals that provide a disproportionate amount of uncompensated care, allowing them to continue providing essential health services to the uninsured and underinsured. 
• This bill passed the Senate by a voice vote in March 2009 and moved to the House. In light of the budget amendment on uncompensated care and other proposals being considered about this issue, the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee voted to retain SB 158, which means that it will hold on to the bill until next year and reconsider it at that time. 

Additional Information: NH Voices for Health

• Chaptered Law 130 creates a ten person commission to study preventing dental disease among New Hampshire's children.  The committee will develop an action plan for meeting both clinical and non-clinical goals.  
• The bill passed the House on March 25, 2009 and passed the Senate on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. The bill was signed by the Governor on June 29, 2009 and went into effect immediately. 

• Effective July 1, 2009, the medical insurance provider for the Healthy Kids Silver (CHIP) and Buy-In programs changed from Anthem to Harvard Pilgrim.  Dental benefits will continue to be provided through Northeast Delta Dental. 
• This change did not affect the benefits provided to the approximately 9,000 children enrolled in Healthy Kids Silver, but will provide enrollees access to a larger provider network.

More Information: New Hampshire Healthy Kids 

• In 2008, state leaders passed HealthFirst, creating affordable, comprehensive health plans for small businesses.  The Insurance Department worked with an advisory board made up of small business owners to develop a standardized benefit package for the plans that focuses on cutting costs while maintaining comprehensive benefits.  The premiums have been targeted at 10% of median wage (which is estimated to be 15% less than comparable plans currently on the market). 
• Rate filings are due from the carriers that will offer HealthFirst plans in early May.  If none of the filings come in at the target premium, the Commissioner will hold hearings to determine whether the rate filings must be reduced. 
• On July 8, 2009 the Governor announced that as of October 1st, four carriers (Anthem, Harvard Pilgrim, Cigna and MVP) will offer HealthFirst plans, and Anthem's plan will be offered at the target premium (10% of median wage), which represents a savings of 15-20% over comparable plans.

Additional Information: New Hampshire Insurance Department

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