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Committee approves study of Medicaid eligibility pathways, extends reporting date to 2026
Summary
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee advanced SB 257, a study committee to examine state Medicaid eligibility guidelines and alternative pathways to determine eligibility. The committee adopted an amendment that broadened the study to include system‑of‑care issues and extended the report date to Nov. 1, 2026.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 257, which would establish a study committee to examine state guidelines and alternative pathways for Medicaid eligibility determinations, including how eligibility processes affect admissions to county nursing homes.
Tommy O'Neil, introducing SB 257 on behalf of Sen. Tara Reardon, described the bill as stemming from county experience seeking faster pathways to qualify residents for Medicaid reimbursement. The introduction included a committee amendment (20205306S) that broadened the study duties to consider elements of the system of care for healthy aging (referencing RSA 151‑E:22 and RSA 151‑E:23) and extended the reporting date from Nov. 1, 2025 to Nov. 1, 2026 because DHHS indicated more time was needed.
Former state representative and Merrimack County commissioner Stephen Shurtleff (testifying from the county perspective) said his county’s nursing home administrator reported waiting lists had grown from 24 to 36 people seeking admission. Shurtleff described the state’s dual test for Medicaid nursing‑home reimbursement — a clinical determination and a financial affidavit — and said the financial review process commonly stretches beyond the 60‑day window, with county staff often helping applicants complete paperwork and experiencing typical approval timelines around 70 days. He contrasted New Hampshire’s continued use of an SSI 209B standard with other states’ use of SSA 1634, and urged the committee to form the study group.
Committee members discussed the bill’s relationship to recently enacted financing measures intended to address similar operational problems; sponsors characterized SB 257 as a complementary, longer‑term study. The committee adopted the amendment extending the report date and expanding duties, then voted to report the bill out of committee as amended.
Action taken: committee adopted amendment 0205306S and voted (motion by Sen. Avard; second by Sen. Birdsall) to report SB 257 “ought to pass” as amended. The committee recorded an affirmative voice vote and moved the bill to the next stage.
