[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6676689,"mediaKeyId","2371467-a9afc0b521acbfea09d9ba54c63d56ba","parentId",2371467,"title","Hospitals urge lawmakers to restore prior MET/DISH deal to preserve Medicaid match, state revenues","audioSeconds",149,"startMs",11275000,"endMs",11424000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371467-a9afc0b521acbfea09d9ba54c63d56ba&start=11275&end=11424","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371467-a9afc0b521acbfea09d9ba54c63d56ba/thumbnail_11275000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6676689/New-Hampshire/Hospitals-urge-lawmakers-to-restore-prior-METDISH-deal-to-preserve-Medicaid-match-state-revenues","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6676689-f3c31916595854a543797244fd5f5ffd/orig.mp4?Expires=1777097743&Signature=U6VOwz9h8FsKeDupcNBkthyfQZvrHy~Bjlyjpf9xT38cwGtEN0x04mPmtgxCSlC-jOKnpcxEKL~il-2hmrqlE4~zyKNRcfEbQEZ4Nst5ePzRW9E03rgM3FiF7n5AsiF1As506XLRpVU2yC-FCN8Ehm0U8ZGkqY7F5NJ0t~kKaPMQ8T8VIXtxBBaoRibGOUwlC18SBl1sLWaKOVSEqFhSoxrJnF~R-288cI0z1nD5Yk1aPlGYERjo65PhpOrk2pgDl0E~RBKkcBKRHueFqS-rwWDyulPXcAe9bRNt1FnPkpYLeEJK4WuEOff0cLjTeEqzB8e9yq~-38I1xHgoKXZFQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-02-20T18:53:08.723Z","article","The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard debate on Senate Bill 249, which addresses the Medicaid Enhancement Tax (MET) and disproportionate‑share hospital (DSH) payments that together fund hundreds of millions of dollars of Medicaid resources in New Hampshire.

How it works today: Hospitals pay a statutory assessment (MET) on net patient service revenue that is deposited into a state fund and used to draw federal matching dollars. The state then makes enhanced inpatient payments, directed payments and DSH payments so that hospitals receive a large share of MET proceeds while the state benefits from federal matching funds.

Stakeholder concerns: Hospital executives warned that the version of the MET/DISH arrangement in the governor’s budget — which reduces the share returned to hospitals to 80% (down from an earlier 91% arrangement) — would shift roughly $70 million in net funding away from hospitals. Witnesses said that outcome would threaten inpatient psychiatry units, maternity services and community programs (transportation, medication assistance, mobile clinics) and reduce access in rural areas.

What hospitals proposed: Hospital leaders urged lawmakers to adopt a framework that would raise the assessment rate to 6 percent and structure payments so that the state captures additional federal matching funds while limiting net losses to hospitals. Under that approach hospitals estimated the state would receive higher matched funds and many hospitals would see substantially smaller net reductions than under the governor’s 80% proposal.

Government response: Insurance and Medicaid officials said the state must weigh the competing goals of securing federal match, preserving hospital financial stability and funding other Medicaid priorities. Department staff said they will continue negotiations with hospitals to devise a compromise before the April funding deadline.

Next steps: Senators asked Governor’s Office and the hospital association to continue discussions; committee action will depend on whether the parties reach an agreement that preserves federal match while limiting disruption to hospital services.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Health and Human Services (02/18/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Hospital leaders told the Senate committee that reducing the hospital share of Medicaid‑enhancement tax proceeds to the state would strip millions from hospital budgets and leave some programs at risk; they proposed raising the assessment to 6% and structuring directed payments to secure federal match.","taxTitle","Senate , Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",29500,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6676692,"Hospitals and community health centers urge state protection for 340B access; pharma warns of unintended costs",0,56340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371467-a9afc0b521acbfea09d9ba54c63d56ba&start=56340&end=56340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371467-a9afc0b521acbfea09d9ba54c63d56ba/thumbnail_56340000.jpg","/articles/6676692/New-Hampshire/Hospitals-and-community-health-centers-urge-state-protection-for-340B-access-pharma-warns-of-unintended-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6676692-9183198fb4c9b04377f9bf62debc6865/orig.mp4?Expires=1777097743&Signature=h0doXKgDEbbo4DwnmxMKrXAyFPM~qJRJ6X0qXWJao1Zm1iWTniUAlxOj1v-Bf9dTw-Wc~fnNj8-Ups8vJvGfl4TPC3iIqVxJY9fbbPHErxRM7JMVGSSaylK9Bff-g-TXD6zbIvP8j6WZrdaR~5t5IAF4nDEHKgA~HYjJnoSOXihamy3kOwNojdOKCM1HYaJJN3Juk7Qe~annp3TMskYZRrvMuJ0GyY2qCGWaLxJhI2GFPamyTBxpRL4T1sCXOL2wvPfhOxRNZ0ot94Uj~WuO2DyjlpfUI2zwj1mCdpB4-00D3el~V4cEGVTtElTXg6WzH5M1iwafuE36CAlQW~09Lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard sharply divergent testimony on Senate Bill 253, which would prohibit pharmaceutical manufacturers from denying 340B pricing to covered entities when drugs are dispensed through contract pharmacies.

What the bill would do: SB 253 would make it an unfair trade practice under state law for a manufacturer to restrict access to 340B drug pricing when a covered entity (hospital, federally qualified health center or Ryan White provider) uses contract pharmacies to dispense medicines to eligible patients.

Supporters’ case: Hospitals (Dartmouth Health, Lamprey Health and Coös County Family Health Services among others) and community health centers said manufacturers have recently limited where drugs eligible for 340B pricing can be dispensed, reducing the savings safety‑net providers rely on to fund care coordination, medication assistance and specialty programs for low‑income patients. Health providers said 340B proceeds fund nurse‑managed programs, HIV care, hemophilia treatments, transportation, and other services that otherwise would be difficult to sustain.

Industry concerns: Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) warned the committee that contract‑pharmacy practices have been exploited by middlemen and PBMs, that program growth has been dramatic since 2010 and that states should not lock subregulatory guidance into law. PhRMA cited analyses saying some contracted profits have flowed to PBMs and their affiliates and argued the state could increase employer costs by reducing manufacturer rebates.

Where the parties disagree: Providers argued the bill is needed to preserve patient access for rural hospitals and clinics; pharma argued the system has been distorted and urged federal fixes instead of state law.

Committee action and next steps: The committee did not vote on the bill. Senators asked for more data and suggested the state could consider transparency or reporting requirements to show how 340B funds are used in New Hampshire. Supporters recommended a state‑level report or community‑benefit disclosure to increase transparency.","A bipartisan group of hospitals and federally qualified health centers told the Senate committee that manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies are cutting critical savings; the pharmaceutical industry warned the bill would lock in a broken system that raises employer costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6676696,"Senate hearing lays out changes to childcare scholarship program; supporters push presumptive eligibility pilot",4908,4523000,9431000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371467-a9afc0b521acbfea09d9ba54c63d56ba&start=4523&end=9431","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371467-a9afc0b521acbfea09d9ba54c63d56ba/thumbnail_4523000.jpg","/articles/6676696/New-Hampshire/Senate-hearing-lays-out-changes-to-childcare-scholarship-program-supporters-push-presumptive-eligibility-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6676696-c34a38e69ddd2fc53a31f90903330446/orig.mp4?Expires=1777097743&Signature=LO0ff3Oa9l8dc8ZKwOsugk4k7pEqu7QJS6h0s91El4ZAkUgJfQwfH6Kj21YSC-lxipFA~elHrJmJU2XoNUxKdSpM7VUYtfoq5A-nfD1XaYAQ08aEfddIsqJntpqXzGx81aVqQfo~XZ~32K1libpDoZzTH~Uh-A0r7t6tFGimuFisqchCdyhY-MthMbUq5cz9brAHzM678srpBMulKhfM2GYGSGbAj9Y~5KLl2GE~5HoRuUlAGbD2ZUh5v~x99Yc~nrCFfApjTP6LWi5L~jbUsuOY1t0L3TM5XjisG42CB1gvxqBsCJBLCjXtnBVRzoeuhkGPH7slNBz0Ok9eTNhRdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents, childcare providers and workforce advocates told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee that Senate Bill 243 would make the state childcare scholarship program simpler, reduce payment delays and expand access for parents returning to work.

Key provisions: The bill would create a presumptive‑eligibility pilot allowing families up to 60 days of provisional scholarship funding while an application is processed; authorize prospective payments to providers (instead of paying after care is provided); simplify the application and reporting; and remove detailed hourly attendance reporting in favor of enrollment‑based reimbursement.

Why it matters: Providers said delayed scholarship payments and complex attendance reporting create administrative burdens and cash shortfalls that drive some centers out of the program or out of business. Parents said waiting weeks or months for scholarship decisions directly blocks them from returning to work.

What supporters said: A broad coalition — including the YMCA of Greater Nashua, regional childcare centers (White Birch, Rochester Child Care), Stay Work Play, New Futures and the Chamber of Mothers — backed the bill. Providers said presumptive eligibility and prospective payments would eliminate payment gaps that create unmanageable receivables and threaten centers’ ability to pay staff and overhead.

What DHHS said: The department placed a $371,000 implementation estimate on the record for system changes and the required study, and asked that the application study deadline be moved from May 1, 2026, to November 1, 2026, to accommodate procurement and realistic timelines. DHHS also proposed language to suspend a pilot if a scholarship wait list exists.

Committee next steps: Committee members asked DHHS and sponsors to tighten procurement and timeline language; the hearing record remained open and committee action was to follow later in the session.

Sources: Testimony from childcare center directors, parents, the YMCA, New Futures, Stay Work Play, DHHS and advocacy groups.","Senate Bill 243 would add presumptive eligibility, prospective payments and simplified reporting to New Hampshire’s childcare scholarship program to reduce barriers for families and stabilize providers, witnesses told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6676701,"Insurance commissioner backs new early‑warning oversight for continuing care retirement communities",827,5776000,6603000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371467-a9afc0b521acbfea09d9ba54c63d56ba&start=5776&end=6603","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371467-a9afc0b521acbfea09d9ba54c63d56ba/thumbnail_5776000.jpg","/articles/6676701/New-Hampshire/Insurance-commissioner-backs-new-earlywarning-oversight-for-continuing-care-retirement-communities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6676701-1727a3cd86108424361cbdcc3f424517/orig.mp4?Expires=1777097743&Signature=azPub8uBhrbXjrVcJFBvxFOHoiARSei0aUbdqJpOtk85s5biiZA4MvcCvM9yhhuG5FMcqxu~ggPzO6wlScDlCrTO4vq-A6P-SeVbrRxjy33dZiluD59p6xbXU0L9W30o8RO21iYdL02HN1XJEpLBLAAEz22-sRAEW2v9MUOtVW5wCkiYsqENC-pULfzc~PQ2cIZZvNbGX~AvuyMSOvhIDKqZJpK7IqrrMdlET0sdIifjvoaPQ7SzexBJjWlEKn0OuqcP1SqAEO47Qc1Q4csjI~xB1gJvo8gp6XPH8JI95WcV~Qml~L6hDfdRMLofadQDnjKwPnoj97kzKSiMasGd0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday took testimony on Senate Bill 124, which would modernize regulatory oversight for continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs, also called life‑plan communities) after a string of recent financial problems in the sector.

What the bill would do: SB 124 would require more frequent financial reporting, create an early‑warning process the Insurance Department can use to detect fiscal stress earlier, and give the department tools to require remediation plans, require disclosures and — in the most serious cases — move to replace management or facilitate sales to protect residents’ deposits and continuity of care.

Why it matters: Several witnesses, including Insurance Commissioner DJ Betancourt, said recent CCRC financial distress left some residents and operators in crisis and that the 30‑year‑old oversight statute needs updating. CCRCs typically collect large entrance fees and then promise on‑site care through retirement; failures can leave residents scrambling for housing and care.

What supporters said: The Insurance Department said the changes would be narrowly targeted, not overburdensome, and would preserve regulatory flexibility for CCRCs that are financially sound. Nonprofit CCRC operators (RiverWoods and Taylor Community among them) testified they worked with the department and supported many provisions, but asked for clarifying amendments to the affiliate/transfer sections so sales that rescue troubled communities are feasible.

What others raised: The state long‑term‑care ombudsman backed SB 124, citing residents harmed by past CCRC failures and supporting added disclosures and resident protections. Industry groups asked for language clarifying review standards for affiliate transfers and for narrow drafting so routine operations aren’t over‑regulated.

Committee next steps: Sponsors said a technical amendment would be filed to address drafting concerns and that the department would supply additional compliance details. The committee did not take a vote at the hearing.

Sources: Testimony from DJ Betancourt (Insurance Department), Andrew Hosmer (RiverWoods), Michael Flaherty (Taylor Community), Lisa Henderson (LeadingAge NH) and Susan Buxton (State Long‑Term Care Ombudsman).","After recent CCRC failures, the Senate Health committee heard the Insurance Department and nonprofit operators support Senate Bill 124’s requirement for quarterly financial reporting, an early‑warning system and other tools to protect residents at life‑plan communities.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6676705,"Senate hearing highlights ‘Momnibus 2’ package to expand postpartum care and supports",5158,420000,5578000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371467-a9afc0b521acbfea09d9ba54c63d56ba&start=420&end=5578","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371467-a9afc0b521acbfea09d9ba54c63d56ba/thumbnail_420000.jpg","/articles/6676705/New-Hampshire/Senate-hearing-highlights-Momnibus-2-package-to-expand-postpartum-care-and-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6676705-7fdc13ede77f86bfca3457aa9a02968f/orig.mp4?Expires=1777097743&Signature=hg1j2vSzNURZC2sKcvWZh7i4cQpzYGajTv3ww35wYPEbcfJB6~UGlWutT9~nubegOiwPKNxIZwQi4o3K9J2S2VkrtNyYeXXEAsVX~uaGFFBMUXY-MAXffUvL~-BWTQYykHps2mvAWYlms9lWaCIBUu1J21zFaUfy5eH~5-yAEaX8grs0iqmbFrfQbsc5KZq3qCef51MyS~-qFL3HtN7JQe4d9kV22BZcyIwg4PtB7m~3J78MQDpbUaOcYCyJlCrumIg9ApF2Tr2FxA6f1djBMN3UYvrD0~jWRpcAO6UdZRbosc921XBfdpGswP2Q6~1MOMrRkXQK5H8miIRTtPuE3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators and health professionals on Tuesday heard hours of testimony supporting Senate Bill 246, a broad maternal-health package nicknamed “Momnibus 2” that its prime sponsor, Senator Denise Ricciardi, said would expand postpartum screening, increase access to home visits and peer support, and provide training for emergency responders in labor and delivery.

The bill would let pediatric providers bill a mother’s insurance for maternal depression screening during well‑child visits, create a psychiatry access/consult line for clinicians, expand postpartum and pediatric‑appointment leave protections, and fund a study and supports for independent birth centers, supporters told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

Why it matters: New Hampshire witnesses and clinicians said postpartum mental health problems are widespread, frequently undiagnosed and a leading driver of maternal mortality in the region. Supporters argued Momnibus 2 builds on a 2023 expansion of postpartum Medicaid coverage and would create new touch points so mothers are more likely to be screened and treated.

What supporters said: Nurse and legislator Paige Beauchman and pediatric and maternal‑mental‑health clinicians described clinical gaps when mothers attend pediatric appointments but not postpartum visits. Heather Martin, a maternal‑mental‑health navigator at Dartmouth Health Pediatrics, told senators that pediatric settings are underused opportunities for screening and referrals.

Clinicians and organizations including NAMI New Hampshire, MomsRising, New Futures and hospital representatives said the bill’s provisions for a psychiatry consult line and peer supports would make it easier for obstetricians, pediatricians and primary‑care providers to connect patients to treatment.

What opponents said: Insurance representatives, including the New Hampshire Insurance Department and several commercial carriers, said they were generally supportive but asked for precise mandate language and a revised fiscal analysis after amendments. They and state officials said some provisions will require further drafting and possible federal approvals for state plan changes.

Committee action: During the committee’s executive session the committee adopted an amendment and voted to report SB 246 out of committee as \"ought to pass as amended.\" (See actions[] for vote detail.)

Context and next steps: Sponsors said the bill grew from stakeholder conversations, public comment and an earlier Momnibus 1 package that expanded Medicaid postpartum coverage. If the bill advances it will go to the Legislature’s Finance Committee for any fiscal adjustments identified during drafting and to the full Senate for further action.

Sources: Committee hearing testimony from the bill’s prime sponsor, clinicians, advocacy organizations and insurance officials.","Senators and dozens of stakeholders told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee that Senate Bill 246 would expand maternal mental-health screening, create a provider consult line, invest in EMS delivery training and support independent birthing centers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hospitals urge lawmakers to restore prior MET/DISH deal to preserve Medicaid match, state revenues

Hospitals and community health centers urge state protection for 340B access; pharma warns of unintended costs

Senate hearing lays out changes to childcare scholarship program; supporters push presumptive eligibility pilot

Insurance commissioner backs new early‑warning oversight for continuing care retirement communities

Senate hearing highlights ‘Momnibus 2’ package to expand postpartum care and supports