The New Hampshire House Ways and Means Committee convened on March 18, 2025, to discuss House Bill 524, which proposes the elimination of the New Hampshire Vaccine Association (NHVA). The meeting featured testimony from various stakeholders, including healthcare providers and insurance representatives, who expressed strong opposition to the bill.

Key discussions centered around the NHVA's role in providing vaccines to children at a significantly reduced cost. Patrick Miller, the executive director of the NHVA, emphasized that the association has been instrumental in ensuring equitable contributions from health insurers to the state's childhood vaccine purchase program for the past 23 years. He highlighted that the NHVA allows for the purchase of vaccines at federally discounted rates, saving approximately 30% on costs, which benefits both providers and families.

Representative Susan Almi shared insights from her constituents, noting that the NHVA's elimination would impose a financial burden on pediatric practices. She explained that without the NHVA, practices would need to negotiate multiple contracts with pharmaceutical companies, leading to increased operational costs and potentially higher health insurance premiums for families. Almi pointed out that the current system simplifies vaccine procurement and reduces overhead for small practices, which could struggle to manage the financial strain of direct vaccine purchases.

Other representatives echoed these concerns, arguing that the NHVA's removal would disrupt the established system that has contributed to New Hampshire having the lowest health insurance premiums in the country. They warned that the bill could lead to increased healthcare costs for families and a more complex vaccine distribution process.

The committee heard from representatives of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, who reiterated the importance of the NHVA in maintaining affordable vaccine access. They cautioned that abolishing the association would likely result in higher claims costs, which would ultimately be passed on to consumers.

In conclusion, the committee's discussions underscored the potential negative implications of House Bill 524 on public health and healthcare costs in New Hampshire. Stakeholders emphasized the need to preserve the NHVA to ensure continued access to affordable vaccines for children across the state. The committee will consider the testimony and feedback as it deliberates on the future of the bill.