Sen. Rosenwald urges committee to keep automatic LIS enrollment for low‑income Medicare beneficiaries

Sen. Cindy Rosenwald introduced SB 545 FN, the "Hope for Low‑Income Seniors Act of 2026," saying the bill clarifies that New Hampshire will continue to facilitate automatic enrollment of eligible Medicare beneficiaries into Low‑Income Subsidy (LIS) programs. Rosenwald told the House Committee on Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs that the change is intended to remove confusion created by provisions in federal HR 1 and to preserve enrollment for about 38,000 lower‑income Granite Staters.

Judith Jones, healthy aging policy director at New Futures, testified in favor, telling the committee that state Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) and the federal LIS work together to cover gaps in Medicare Part D and that automatic connections between the programs raise take‑up. Jones cited department figures of roughly 38,000 New Hampshire participants and referenced CMS estimates used by witnesses in committee testimony.

Henry Littmann, the state's Medicaid director, said the LIS and MSP linkage dates back to federally established programs (he described MSPs as operating since 2003 at the federal level) and that the department had prepared revised fiscal notes based on a five‑year analysis. Littmann told members the LIS benefit is fully federally funded, that New Hampshire remains well under its federal cap and that revised fiscal documentation shows no state spending obligation for the amended bill.

Committee members questioned whether HR 1 creates a mandatory 10‑year moratorium or suspension risk for states. Rosenwald and Littmann told the committee their interpretation is that New Hampshire, because it already automatically enrolled beneficiaries, would not be forced into a moratorium; Rosenwald described the bill as a "belt and suspenders" clarification to remove ambiguity. Littmann confirmed the department would seek CMS approval where required and said the revised fiscal notes would be posted following additional review.

The public hearing on SB 545 FN closed with no formal vote recorded at the hearing. Supporters emphasized maintaining enrollment because LIS reduces out‑of‑pocket drug costs for low‑income seniors; department testimony stressed the program's federal funding and the state's margin under the federal allocation cap. The committee recessed to take up subsequent bills on the agenda.