Committee orders further study of provider‑referral bill after hospitals raise operational concerns

The committee spent an extended period on HB1347, a measure that would require health‑care provider networks to accept referrals in certain circumstances and establishes penalties for non‑compliance.

The sponsor (not named in the public transcript) told the committee she intended the bill to target integrated health systems rather than nursing homes or small practices and offered an amendment clarifying the wording. She said proposed penalties were designed to attract attention rather than be punitive: "If you're nonprofit, you lose your nonprofit status. If you're for profit, you get fined a $100,000," she told members while noting she was "not wedded to that" and preferred a study committee.

Hospital representatives and other witnesses urged caution. Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association and other hospital speakers told members the measure, as drafted, could require providers to accept referrals without regard to clinical capacity and create longer delays for existing patients. Bradley said carriers and hospitals often provide summary documents for plan changes but do not always provide red‑lined edits, which complicates compliance. Members pressed for language that balanced patient access with operational realities.

Outcome: The committee voted to place HB1347 in an interim study; the sponsor agreed to convene stakeholders, work with staff, and deliver revised language for the fall or the March 3 follow‑up work session.

Why it matters: The bill addresses patient access to specialist care and alleged practices by some networks that restrict outside referrals. Lawmakers noted tension between protecting patient access and avoiding statutory requirements that disregard capacity constraints.

Next steps: Sponsor to circulate amended language; committee will revisit on the schedule the Chair set for subcommittee work and on March 3 for amendment review.