Committee Summary for Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (10/24/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
Unclear 00:02:50.720 - 9:01:37 AM	General Working Session	Unclear

Unclear: Chair (unnamed) Information Only00:02:50.720 - 9:01:37 AM; The chair calls the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee meeting to order on Friday, October 24th, requests the clerk to call the roll, notes attendance and excuses, approves draft minutes from September 26th, and mentions being named to the palliative care hospice study committee chaired by Senator Avard. Suggests discussing an ongoing study or subcommittee on palliative care and hospice for future meetings.
Unclear: Senator Gray Information Only00:04:10.959 - 9:02:57 AM; Seconds the motion to approve the minutes.
Unclear: Unidentified (possibly Representative Woods) Information Only00:05:10.479 - 9:03:57 AM; Brought up the idea of an ongoing study on palliative care and hospice during the study committee meeting.
Unclear: Chris Santelo, Associate Commissioner Information Only00:06:37.360 - 9:05:24 AM; Provides a high-level overview of contingency plans for SNAP benefits amid potential federal shutdown impacts. Explains receipt of a USDA letter dated October 10th indicating possible insufficient funding for November benefits. Notes that New Hampshire must transmit files by October 31st but has been advised to hold until further notice. Mentions letters sent to participants and collaboration with New Hampshire Food Bank for increased mobile and traditional food pantries. Addresses questions on a special fiscal meeting for transferring $2 million, potential gaps in benefits (SNAP brings $12 million monthly, affecting 42,000 households or 70-75,000 individuals with average $300 benefit), ability to load partial benefits if shutdown ends midway, and coordination with electronic benefit card vendor.
Unclear: Trisha Tilly, Associate Commissioner Information Only00:11:53.120 - 9:10:40 AM; Explains WIC program details separate from SNAP, serving 13,000 pregnant women, infants, and children up to age 5 (noted as up to age 3 in transcript but clarified contextually). Details USDA funding extensions allowing WIC benefits until November 7th, challenges in funding community agency programs (e.g., Greater Seacoast Health, Belknap-Merrimack CAP), prioritization of food benefits over in-person nutritionist services, and anticipation of further small funding. Notes collaboration with SNAP for feeding vulnerable populations.
Unclear: Senator Gray Information Only00:07:57.360 - 9:06:44 AM; Inquires about the special fiscal meeting on Tuesday for legislative approvals related to SNAP contingency.
Unclear: Senator Rosenwald Information Only00:09:15.040 - 9:08:02 AM; Asks about the $2 million fiscal transfer, potential SNAP gap if shutdown affects November ($10 million impact), significance for families, and ability to load half-month benefits if shutdown ends midway. Later questions WIC benefits cutoff concerns.
Unclear: Representative Weber Information Only00:20:19.840 - 9:19:06 AM; Comments on community priorities like transportation, housing, and childcare; asks about incorporating transportation into the rural health transformation proposal, noting it's allowable though not a CMS pillar.
Unclear: Senator Rosenwald (continued) Information Only00:21:13.520 - 9:20:00 AM; Discusses funding structure (guaranteed $100 million plus splits for rurality and policies), asks about prioritization of proposals (e.g., scaling back from $200 million or add-ons), workforce initiatives like nursing tuition support with retention requirements, and potential use of funds for HB 480 restoration competency pilot project sustainability.
Unclear: Henry Lipman, State Medicaid Director Information Only00:27:48.240 - 9:26:35 AM; Provides quarterly update on postpartum coverage extension. Shares a map showing near-universal adoption across states (except Wisconsin and Arkansas). Reports 2,351 women benefited from October 2023 to May 2025, with statewide distribution. Details most accessed services: mental health (46%), substance use disorder (8%), preventive (25%), heart/hypertension (6%). References public health data on increasing perinatal mental health conditions and links to severe maternal morbidity. Notes importance of SUD and cardiac services to reduce disparities, especially for Medicaid population (46% of 2,500 annual Medicaid births receive mental health services). Mentions mental health centers and FQHCs can benefit from rural health program.
Unclear: Senator Rosenwald (continued) Information Only00:34:25.918 - 9:33:12 AM; Seeks clarification on postpartum program data: confirms 2,500 annual Medicaid births, 46% receiving mental health services among postpartum Medicaid women.
Unclear: Unnamed Observer Information Only00:35:51.599 - 9:34:38 AM; The speaker shares an observation from their lifelong interest in politics, noting that mental health issues are not partisan, as evidenced by maps showing both red and blue states affected. They appreciate that the discussion is inclusive across political lines and mention that some early adopting states for mental health courts were red states. The speaker expresses gratitude for the non-partisan approach to addressing these issues.
Unclear: Daryl Tenny, Bureau Chief, Bureau for Children's Behavioral Health, DHS Information Only00:37:03.920 - 9:35:50 AM; Daryl Tenny introduces the annual report on New Hampshire's ten-year mental health plan, highlighting systemwide progress including an integrated continuum of care, certified community behavioral health clinics, comprehensive assessments of the children's system, improved data infrastructure, and funding linked to quality outcomes. He discusses children's initiatives focused on coordinated care, prevention, early intervention, and peer supports, noting increased utilization of programs like Fast Forward, early childhood wraparound, and transitional enhanced care coordination, which have served over 2,700 children. Tenny emphasizes collaborations with maternal health, early education, schools, and the Division of Children, Youth and Families to keep youth in community-based care, reducing needs for higher levels like residential treatment or hospitalization. He presents data showing a decrease in youth in residential settings from 360 in August 2024 to 296 in October 2025, attributing this to community services and DCYF strategies. Tenny addresses questions on bed availability at Hampstead (only 3 of 12 filled due to staffing, with plans to expand), transitions to education, care coordination challenges, and the cyclic nature of emergency department waits, linking it to crisis referrals and school impacts. He explains the crisis response process via 988 and mobile deployments, and discusses the fluidity of long-term planning in the ten-year plan, now in year seven, with focus on years 8-10 and future planning. During Q&A, Tenny responds to inquiries about residential beds, staffing at Hampstead (in compliance, with incentives and ongoing hiring), impediments to educational transitions (primarily communication and care coordination, addressed via transitional programs), and the need for data on voucher school transitions.
Unclear: Carolyn Lewis, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Mental Health Services Information Only01:07:30.480 - 10:06:17 AM; Carolyn Lewis takes over to discuss adult system progress, starting with Mission Zero, which achieved zero emergency room waits for psychiatric beds multiple times in 2024, with 94% of days having fewer than 10 individuals waiting, a significant improvement. She highlights certified community behavioral health clinics (located in Claremont, Manchester, Greater Manchester, and Nashua) providing 24/7 crisis care and rapid access under federal Medicaid programs. Lewis presents data on rapid response access, noting over 33,000 calls handled in 2024 via the statewide access point, with 75% resolved without further intervention. On housing, she reports growth in stable supported housing options, aiding transitions from hospitals or homelessness, reducing boarding and inpatient stays, and saving lives and dollars. She addresses a question on House Bill 2 requiring sale of the Brook building (transitional housing with ~24 beds), stating they are in the process of issuing RFPs, collecting questions, and responding, but will follow up on exact timing; notes growing chatter that the sale may not happen. Lewis emphasizes peer support agencies as essential, with increasing individuals supported annually, including 43,000 warm line interactions. She discusses the Stronger Granite campaign for stigma reduction and awareness, noting 132,000 instances where suicide-related searches in New Hampshire led to campaign resources. Lewis covers emergency department trends for adults, showing decreasing wait times since 2023, with a focus on Mission Zero in the next roadmap, and notes cyclic patterns potentially linked to school schedules.
Unclear: Unidentified Speaker (likely Carolyn Lewis or colleague, Bureau of Mental Health Services) Information Only01:16:20.640 - 10:15:07 AM; The speaker concludes the presentation on building a connected, responsive, and transparent health system reflecting New Hampshire's values. They thank the committee for their leadership and highlight progress in strengthening the health system and advancing the 10-year plan goals. Priorities for the final years include strengthening and sustaining the crisis system, streamlining and integrating access points, using real-time data for oversight and quality improvement, and expanding prevention and early intervention.
Unclear: Representative LeMoyne Information Only01:17:32.320 - 10:16:19 AM; The representative asks a question about the difference between calling 211 and 988. The response explains that 211 connects individuals directly to doorways for substantive support if they know that's what they need, while 988 serves as an initial point if unsure, directing callers to 211 if appropriate.
Unclear: Melissa Hardy, Division Director, Division of Long-Term Supports and Services; Jessica Gorton, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Developmental Services Information Only01:18:42.960 - 10:17:29 AM; The speakers report on quarterly waitlist numbers for the developmental disabilities waiver, acquired brain disorder waiver, and in-home supports waiver for fiscal year 2025 quarter four. All funding requests were met with no denials. They detail breakdowns: for DD waiver, 158 new requests funded, 64 withdrew (often due to staying in school longer), 67 of the remaining started services, 19 delayed mainly due to Medicaid eligibility issues. For in-home supports, 40 requests, 7 withdrew, 33 started. For acquired brain disorder, 6 requests, 2 withdrew, 3 started, 1 delayed but started next quarter. They discuss remediation efforts like improving Medicaid processes via the department's roadmap, ARPA-funded workforce grants ending December 31, peer learning collaboratives, weekly meetings with service coordination agencies, and inter-departmental collaboration with Bureau of Family Assistance to streamline disability determinations and Medicaid access.
Unclear: Senator Rosenwald Information Only01:30:25.199 - 10:29:12 AM; The senator asks two questions. First, about statutory time frames for Medicaid determinations for DD and ABD waivers compared to long-term care, and whether there's an accelerated process. The response indicates no additional acceleration, but standard statutory time limits apply from complete application to decision (believed to be 90 days, encompassing financial and medical eligibility). They note the challenge of achieving a complete application and efforts to simplify the process. Second, about the five-year look-back provision applying to other waivers, confirmed as federal law for financial eligibility, including reviewing assets like special needs trusts for children.
Unclear: Unidentified Representative (possibly Representative Woods or another) Information Only01:39:38.719 - 10:38:25 AM; The representative inquires about the general performance of area agencies serving developmental disabilities, hurdles, and relationships. The response notes improved compliance and system redesign over the past year and a half, streamlined processes aligning with state and CMS regulations, monthly one-on-one communications, attendance at board meetings, and a strong working relationship for troubleshooting concerns.
Unclear: Courtney Keane, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, Division of Public Health Services Information Only01:42:03.040 - 10:40:50 AM; The speaker presents the 2023 newborn screening annual report under RSA 132:10-a, screening 11,976 of 12,070 infants (99% rate) for serious treatable conditions to enable early intervention. Parents can decline. Conditions are evidence-based per statute. The program followed up on 656 abnormal results, confirming 29 cases. Collaboration involves neonatologists, primary care, specialists, and genetic counselors. Staff includes nurse consultants and specialists; contracts with a metabolic specialist and UMass for lab support. Quality improvements: 4% reduction in missing demographics, 98.7% timeliness (above 95% national benchmark). Future plans: educational materials, streamlining requests, midwife collaborations. The program adapts to technological advances without faltering, unaffected by federal RUSP changes in funding but may influence future panel additions.
Unclear: Representative Woods Information Only01:47:17.280 - 10:46:04 AM; The representative asks about federal changes to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) and impacts on the program, including oversight, policy, and funds. The response confirms no funding impact to New Hampshire, current screenings unaffected, but future additions may follow recommendations; no risk of program faltering.