Amendment to bar DHHS contracts with hospitals that violate patient bill of rights draws sharp questions

Representative Jess Edwards introduced a non‑germane amendment to House Bill 519 seeking to add a statute provision that would prevent the Department of Health and Human Services from contracting with any hospital "found in violation of the patient bill of rights" (testimony cited RSA language). The amendment prompted testimony from a patient advocate, hospital leaders and the DHHS contracts director at a House Finance Committee hearing.

Why it matters: witnesses described a recent, widely publicized case in which a patient said she was denied a kidney transplant because she had not received a COVID‑19 vaccine. Supporters of the amendment said stronger enforcement is needed to ensure hospitals follow the patient bill of rights. Hospital representatives and DHHS officials warned the amendment's enforcement language is unclear, could have unintended consequences for contracted services and lacks a remediation process.

What witnesses said Representative Jess…