Committee hears plan to require limited coverage for integrative pain services as alternatives to opioids

Representative Dave Nagel, a medical doctor and sponsor of House Bill 241, told the House Commerce Committee that the bill would require carriers in the fully insured individual and small-group markets to cover a defined package of integrative, evidence-based pain services (including acupuncture, chiropractic care, behavioral health therapies, massage/manual therapies, and restorative therapies such as physical therapy) for a limited number of visits per year.

Nagel framed the proposal as a cost-effective, preventive approach that would reduce reliance on opioids and high-cost interventions such as spine surgery. ‘‘There are chapters on here that on issues that we will be discussing today,’’ he said, adding that the bill’s intent is to front-load less invasive, evidence-based care. He described the bill as a template intended to prompt payers to cover initial modalities that can, in combination, reduce pain sufficiently to improve function.

Patient advocates, acupuncture and psychology organizations, and the U.S. Pain Foundation testified in favor. Roberta Blades, a Concord resident and support-group leader with the U.S. Pain Foundation, told lawmakers that treatments such as aquatic therapy, mindfulness, targeted massage and acupuncture had helped her regain function after a severe injury and that out‑of‑pocket costs and access barriers remained.

University and hospital representatives urged caution. Lauren Banker and Lisonbee Rich of the University System of New Hampshire and University of New Hampshire athletics told the panel that campuses already provide some NIL-like (note: testimony used NIL earlier for a different bill) or support services, and the university cautioned against a fragmented patchwork of state mandates that could make it harder for…