Experts and advocates back multi‑state prescription discount card; insurance department requests clearer language

Sen. David Rochefort introduced a bill to let the state adopt a prescription discount card program modeled on ArrayRx, emphasizing consumer privacy and lower out‑of‑pocket costs. He said some third‑party discount programs capture and sell patient data, and the proposed model would avoid that.

Michelle Hee In, director of life and health at the New Hampshire Insurance Department, told the committee the department could regulate discount medical plans and help craft consumer protections but that the bill as drafted included procurement language that may not fit the department’s statutory role. "I'm not sure that this language is workable as drafted, but I think, having a little bit of a better understanding of what you're aiming to do, I think, you know, that would be appropriate for the insurance department to do," she said.

Stephanie Craig, who runs Connecticut’s ArrayRx program, described the operational model: an enrollee gets a free card, pharmacies see the final price and reimbursement in real time, and the program is funded by a small administrative fee built into the transaction. "The program is also designed to work transparently for pharmacies," Craig said, noting Connecticut has registered over 26,000 people and reported average savings over $200 per person.

Supporters noted the program can be run at no initial cost to the state and could even generate revenue over time. Sam Burgess of New Futures said the DHHS PDAB estimated the state could realize a few hundred thousand dollars from the program over several years.

Next steps: The insurance department offered to work with sponsors to find workable statutory language; the sponsor directed staff to coordinate follow‑up with DOI and stakeholders to produce amendments for committee consideration.