Committee Summary for House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/23/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB167 00:10:15.680 - 9:09:01 AM	Public Hearing	prohibiting the sale of ski, boat, and board waxes that contain intentionally added per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances.	Thomas, Wendy(D)[CT]2024
HB312 00:30:20.600 - 9:29:06 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the right of intercollegiate student-athletes to earn compensation through the use of their name, image, or likeness.	Moffett, Michael(R)[A-]2024
HB427 01:11:17.400 - 10:10:03 AM	Public Hearing	relative to amending the uniform commercial code.	Bernardy, JD(R)[A-]2024
HB406 02:14:51.920 - 11:13:37 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the formation of fraudulent businesses.	Bay, Luz(D)[F]2024
HB275 03:39:13.560 - 12:37:59 PM	Public Hearing	relative to health carrier credentialing requirements.	Flanagan, Jack(R)[B+]2020

HB167: Carrie Spear, Nashua Ward 3 Support00:10:15.680 - 9:09:01 AM; Representative Carrie Spear from Nashua Ward 3 introduced House Bill 167 on behalf of Representative Thomas, who was absent. The bill aims to ban PFAS chemicals in ski, board, and boat wax. Spear highlighted that the bill is straightforward, targeting a single product that is easily banned. She noted that surrounding states and the International Ski Federation (FIS) have already banned PFAS in these products since 2021. Spear mentioned that alternatives to PFAS-containing wax are available, effective, and cost the same. She stressed that these products directly contaminate water, not landfills, and cited high PFAS levels in fish from several lakes in southern New Hampshire, including Beaver Lake, Robinson Pond in Hudson, Horseshoe Pond in Merrimack, Canobie Lake in Salem, and Cobbetts Pond in Windham, where fish consumption is not advised due to PFAS contamination.
HB167: Bruce Information Only00:15:01.320 - 9:13:47 AM; Bruce shared a personal story about using liquid ski wax, which he believes may have contained PFAS, for cross-country skiing. He mentioned that the product was unavailable for a period, which he attributed to PFAS concerns, but it has since returned to the market, possibly PFAS-free. He acknowledged existing legislation that allows for the addition of new products to the ban list and mentioned the role of a state board and a national registry in monitoring product compliance.
HB312: Representative Mike Moffett, Merrimack County District 4 (Canterbury and Loudon) Support00:30:20.600 - 9:29:06 AM; Representative Mike Moffett introduced House Bill 312, discussing the need for regulations on college athletes' use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) for commercial purposes, following a 2021 Supreme Court decision. He highlighted the new freedoms athletes have and the potential need for guardrails, such as restrictions on endorsements related to foreign agents, casinos, gaming interests, addictive products, and adult entertainment. Moffett suggested the bill, modeled after a New Jersey law, should ensure athletes are represented by licensed attorneys or registered sports agents and comply with federal sports agent laws. He pointed out potential conflicts in college policies and the need for preemptive legislation to address future issues, including endorsements by athletes from smaller schools and two-year institutions.
HB312: Representative Pusk Information Only00:41:22.160 - 9:40:08 AM; Representative Pusk raised an observation about the bill's text, suggesting it should also consider accredited two-year institutions offering scholarships to athletes, not just four-year institutions. He pointed out his experience with two-year schools and their involvement in sports, suggesting that the bill should encompass these institutions as well.
HB312: Representative Information Only00:42:45.000 - 9:41:31 AM; Another representative commented on the bill, specifically regarding the section that restricts endorsements related to weapons. He shared his personal experience with shooting sports and suggested that this part of the bill be amended to exclude the weapons piece, citing differences in gun-related legislation between New Jersey and New Hampshire. Representative Moffett responded that he would be open to amending the bill to remove the weapons restriction if it moved forward.
HB312: Ammon Information Only00:44:10.480 - 9:42:56 AM; Ammon sought clarification on a section of HB312 related to international scholarship eligibility and institutional scholarships. He discussed how earning compensation from a student's name, image, and likeness (NIL) should not affect their scholarship eligibility. He referenced a past situation where a football player's earnings from a sports column impacted his scholarship, which he felt was unfair. He also mentioned a Supreme Court decision that changed this rule. Ammon noted that this bill aims to protect students, especially at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), from losing scholarships due to earning money from their NIL. He suggested that the bill's language might need review to ensure it also protects academic scholarships.
HB312: Gibbs Information Only00:52:46.160 - 9:51:32 AM; Gibbs asked how HB312 would affect need-based scholarships, to which the response was that the bill does not intend to impact need-based scholarships directly, as it focuses on sports-related measures tied to the Supreme Court case. Gibbs raised concerns about trademark issues for non-athletes, like band members wearing UNH jerseys, and questioned the bill's potential discriminatory nature against athletes compared to non-athletes who profit from their work. He also mentioned a previous bill related to the protection of people's identity and its relation to contractual arrangements between colleges and students.
HB312: Adam Pieza, Hillsboro District 12 Support00:57:35.319 - 9:56:21 AM; Adam Pieza supported HB312 but suggested removing section 4, which allows institutions and athletic bodies to use athletes' NIL without compensation. He emphasized that many athletes, particularly in Division 3 programs in New Hampshire, do not receive NIL money and often have to work additional jobs, which impacts their focus on athletics and academics. As a former Division 3 athlete and current college coach, he believes removing this section would allow athletes to focus more on their sports and studies. He also advocated for the bill's provision ensuring legal representation for athletes, citing an example of an athlete exploited by a predatory contract due to a lack of legal representation.
HB312: Lauren Banker, University System of New Hampshire Oppose01:01:23.680 - 10:00:09 AM; Lauren Banker, along with Allison Rich, opposed HB312. Banker stated that while the university supports students profiting from their NIL, they find the bill problematic due to the rapidly changing national landscape of NIL provisions. They are concerned that a patchwork system could undermine their ability to attract and retain student-athletes in New Hampshire, especially given the competitive nature of higher education. Banker passed the floor to Allison Rich for further technical concerns and clarifications.
HB312: Allison Rich, Director of Athletics at the University of New Hampshire Oppose01:02:55.480 - 10:01:41 AM; Allison Rich elaborated on the evolution of NIL policies, stating that the NCAA initially did not permit student-athletes to profit from their NIL, but this changed over time. She clarified that the Alston case, often confused with NIL, was about educational benefits, not NIL, and noted the NCAA's current rules permitting NIL activities. Rich highlighted the potential impact of an impending antitrust settlement and other state and federal bills on the NIL landscape. She expressed concerns that HB312 might be more restrictive than current policies, potentially prohibiting schools from connecting student-athletes with sponsors. She also mentioned protections for international student-athletes and emphasized UNH's efforts to provide a great experience for student-athletes to recruit and retain them, which could be jeopardized by the bill.
HB427: Representative JD Bernardi, Rockingham 36, Southampton, Newton, Plaistow, Hampton Falls, and Kensington Support01:11:17.400 - 10:10:03 AM; Representative Bernardi introduced HB427, which aims to amend the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). The bill focuses on two main areas: the ownership of securities and the regulation of deposit accounts. He highlighted a section that disallows programmable medium of exchange as an identified deposit account, effectively prohibiting Central Bank digital currency. Bernardi expressed concerns about the potential control over commerce and inflation that such currencies could enable, advocating for the adoption of section five of the bill. He further discussed how the current system anonymizes and pools stocks, which could lead to investors losing their assets in financial crises. He referenced other states considering similar legislation and emphasized the importance of reestablishing ownership rights for securities.
HB427: Representative Gibbs Information Only01:17:48.239 - 10:16:34 AM; Representative Gibbs asked clarifying questions about the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) and the application of programmable medium of exchange to cryptocurrencies. Bernardi explained that the DTCC pools and anonymizes stocks, and that the bill's language specifically amends the definition of deposit accounts, not directly addressing cryptocurrencies as commodities.
HB427: David Webb, from Sweden Support01:22:37.440 - 10:21:23 AM; David Webb, author of 'The Great Taking,' provided detailed testimony on the history and implications of UCC amendments, particularly those from 1994. He explained how these changes shifted legal certainty from the public to secured creditors, potentially leaving investors vulnerable during financial crises. Webb highlighted the example of Lehman Brothers' failure and how it affected investors' ability to recover their assets. He supported HB427, suggesting that it would restore ownership rights to investors by removing certain exceptions in the UCC, and he offered to return for further discussions with the subcommittee.
HB427: Representative Sullivan Information Only01:36:31.760 - 10:35:17 AM; Representative Sullivan sought clarification on the practical implications of the UCC changes for individual investors, using the example of Charles Schwab. Webb explained the concept of 'beneficial ownership' and how it creates an appearance of ownership that fails in the event of insolvency. He also discussed the potential impact on liquidity and referenced Sweden's alternative system, which maintains specific identification of securities.
HB427: Charles Mooney, Uniform Law Commissioner for the State of New Hampshire Oppose01:48:40.760 - 10:47:26 AM; Charles Mooney opposed HB427, arguing that it addresses a non-existent problem and could harm investors. He provided an educational overview of the intermediated holding system for securities, explaining the evolution of the system and the protections currently in place under UCC Article 8. Mooney contested the claims made by Webb, asserting that the security entitlement described by Webb has always been part of investor rights. He highlighted the risks and potential litigation that could arise if the amendments were passed, suggesting they could lead to higher costs for banks and brokers in New Hampshire.
HB427: Unknown Speaker Information Only02:08:24.559 - 11:07:10 AM; The speaker asked for clarification on the proposed legislation and its impact on consumers, particularly regarding the protection of consumers and the implications for brokers seeking credit. They expressed confusion about the objections to the bill, suggesting that making it more costly for firms to borrow might not benefit securities account holders.
HB427: Charles Mooney, Uniform Law Commissioner for the State of New Hampshire Information Only02:09:13.599 - 11:07:59 AM; Charles Mooney continued his testimony from before, discussing the implications of the proposed legislation on the ability of brokers to get credit, the existing customer protection rules by the SEC, and historical context suggesting no significant risk from the current practices. He also touched on the issue of CBDCs in relation to the bill, agreeing with the purpose but suggesting some drafting changes.
HB427: Grace, Business and Industry Association Oppose02:12:33.599 - 11:11:19 AM; Grace from the Business and Industry Association expressed opposition to the bill, arguing that changes to the UCC are better handled at the federal level through the UCC panel. She highlighted the importance of uniform regulations across states to maintain a competitive advantage for businesses in New Hampshire.
HB427: Unknown Speaker Information Only02:13:20.520 - 11:12:06 AM; The speaker mentioned that the bankers association is also in opposition to the bill but did not provide further details.
HB406: Aaron Hennessy, Deputy Secretary of State Support02:14:51.920 - 11:13:37 AM; Aaron Hennessy introduced the bill, explaining its purpose to address business hijacking and synthetic entities. He detailed cases where businesses were fraudulently altered or created to deceive others, and emphasized the need for tools to remove unauthorized filings from public records quickly. He also discussed upcoming technological solutions to enhance security.
HB406: Tom Connelly, Director of Corporations Division Support02:15:37.079 - 11:14:23 AM; Tom Connelly provided further details on the issues of business hijacking and synthetic entities, sharing specific incidents and the limitations of current laws. He outlined the proposed measures in the bill, including the ability to verify and remove fraudulent filings, and mentioned the adoption of similar language from a Connecticut bill.
HB406: Unknown Representative Information Only02:20:59.359 - 11:19:45 AM; The representative asked about the verification process during business formation and was informed that currently, no validation of identity is required during filing, which the bill aims to address.
HB406: Unknown Representative Information Only02:22:33.720 - 11:21:19 AM; The representative inquired about the prevalence of identity fraud in New Hampshire and was told that about a couple dozen cases had been reported in the last two years. They also discussed potential future system improvements to enhance security and user control.
HB406: Unknown Representative Information Only02:24:08.080 - 11:22:54 AM; The representative expressed concerns about the current system's vulnerability to unauthorized changes and suggested improvements like user-specific access controls and notifications for account changes.
HB406: Unknown Representative Information Only02:27:13.000 - 11:25:59 AM; The representative asked if the bill would require the Secretary of State to verify all transactions, and was clarified that the bill enables but does not mandate verification.
HB406: n Gra, Business and Industry Association Information Only02:28:44.600 - 11:27:30 AM; n Gra expressed concerns about the bill's language and suggested working with Tom to refine it. They supported the intent to address bad actors but had questions about the bill's current draft.
HB275: Jack Flig, Representative from Mason Support03:39:13.560 - 12:37:59 PM; Jack Flig introduced HB275, which addresses the issue of insurance companies requiring healthcare providers to undergo additional training not related to their licensing. He shared a personal experience with his dentist and Anthem Medicare Advantage, arguing that such requirements should be paid for by the insurance companies, not the providers. He also discussed the fiscal note and the Managed Care provision where the bill fits.
HB275: Unknown Representative Information Only03:44:38.159 - 12:43:24 PM; The representative questioned whether the bill could apply to Medicare Advantage policies, suggesting that state control might not extend to such federal programs. Jack Flig responded by emphasizing that insurance companies operating in New Hampshire must comply with state laws.
HB275: Unknown Representative Information Only03:46:13.279 - 12:44:59 PM; The representative sought clarification on whether the bill addressed unfunded mandates from insurance companies onto providers. Jack Flig agreed, describing it as a 'pay for play' situation where providers must comply or lose business.
HB275: Unknown Representative Information Only03:47:00.239 - 12:45:46 PM; The representative asked for clarification on the difference between credentialing and training, questioning the relevance of the bill's placement in the Managed Care statute. Jack Flig acknowledged the need to find a better place for the bill's language.
HB275: Unknown Representative Information Only03:51:37.120 - 12:50:23 PM; The representative discussed how premiums are set and suggested that the bill's costs should come from the managed care company's profit margin. Jack Flig agreed to work on finding a more suitable placement for the bill's language.
HB275: Unknown Representative Information Only03:53:08.479 - 12:51:54 PM; The representative raised concerns about potential liability for healthcare providers following insurance company directives. Jack Flig responded by emphasizing the burden on providers to fund unnecessary training.
HB275: Unknown Representative Information Only03:55:28.760 - 12:54:14 PM; The representative asked about the prevalence of insurance companies requiring training beyond state licensing. Jack Flig shared his personal experience but acknowledged that such cases are not widely reported.
HB275: Unknown Representative Information Only03:57:53.000 - 12:56:39 PM; The representative clarified the difference between certification and training programs under the bill's language. Jack Flig agreed to make necessary changes in the subcommittee.
HB275: Michelle Heen, New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only03:58:38.600 - 12:57:24 PM; Michelle Heen from the New Hampshire Insurance Department stated that they take no position on the bill.
HB275: Michelle Heaton, New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only03:58:59.319 - 12:57:45 PM; Michelle Heaton, from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, provided information on HB275 without taking a position. She expressed concerns about the broad language of the bill, which could lead to unintended consequences due to the variety of programs and certifications that might be required across the healthcare system. Heaton noted that managed care laws set loose parameters for credentialing, allowing carriers to decide who they contract with, and that the bill's broad language made it difficult to quantify its fiscal impact, though it likely would increase premiums due to added costs and administrative burdens.
HB275: Sabrina Dunlap, Anthem Oppose04:02:48.479 - 1:01:34 PM; Sabrina Dunlap, Director of Government Relations for Anthem, expressed opposition to HB275, citing confusion about the bill's intent and echoing concerns previously mentioned by the insurance department. She clarified a previous conversation with Representative Flanigan regarding a third-party administrator's compliance program, which is required by federal law and includes cultural and linguistic competency training for staff and contracted providers. Dunlap highlighted that this program is mandated by CMS and is not directly related to Anthem's operations.
HB275: Dave Nagel, Town of Gilford, Laconia Support04:06:06.760 - 1:04:52 PM; Dave Nagel, a representative from Gilford and Laconia and a doctor specializing in pain care, strongly supported HB275. He shared his extensive experience in pain management and his work with various stakeholders over the years to address the issue. Nagel discussed the limitations in accessing comprehensive pain management services, referencing examples from the VA, DoD, and NFL. He criticized the current system's inefficiencies and high costs, particularly for procedures like spine surgery, and advocated for the bill's approach to mandate access to alternative therapies like chiropractic care and acupuncture. Nagel emphasized the need for a level playing field in applying evidence-based practices and suggested the bill could lead to cost savings and improved patient outcomes.
HB275: Unnamed Speaker Support04:29:33.199 - 1:28:19 PM; An unnamed speaker shared a personal testimony in support of HB275, detailing their experience with chronic pain after a car accident. They credited Dr. Nagel's approach to pain management for significantly improving their condition without the need for surgery, which had been recommended by multiple surgeons. This testimony highlighted the effectiveness of alternative pain management strategies endorsed by the bill.
HB275: Unnamed Speaker Information Only04:31:17.439 - 1:30:03 PM; An unnamed speaker discussed the concept of teaching patients to manage their pain, emphasizing that pain management should be patient-centered and focused on function rather than complete pain elimination. They mentioned the availability of the Gilbertson guide online, which provides guidance on pain management.
HB275: Unnamed Speaker Information Only04:32:56.640 - 1:31:42 PM; An unnamed speaker discussed the challenges within the healthcare system, particularly regarding the referral process and the tendency to opt for expensive surgical interventions over less invasive, potentially more cost-effective treatments like chiropractic care. They questioned the practicality of mandating insurance companies to alter their approach to pain management and suggested a need for a more nuanced solution to ensure cost-effectiveness and patient satisfaction.
HB275: Roberta Blades, Pain Patients and Friends Support04:41:51.040 - 1:40:37 PM; Roberta Blades, representing Pain Patients and Friends, began to testify in support of HB275 but was cut off in the transcript. Her testimony was expected to align with the group's advocacy for improved pain management strategies.
HB275: Roberta Blades, Pain Patients and Friends, Concord, NH Support04:42:07.680 - 1:40:53 PM; Roberta Blades, a resident of Concord, NH, shared her personal experience with chronic pain since 2016, following a surgical error. She highlighted the necessity of opioids for managing her pain and the subsequent support she received from the US Pain Foundation, where she now leads support groups. Blades discussed the diverse conditions among pain patients, emphasizing the need for comprehensive pain management as outlined in HB275. She also pointed out the effectiveness of alternative treatments like pain patches and the potential benefits of insurance coverage for additional therapies, advocating for the bill's support to improve pain management options for patients in New Hampshire.
HB275: Amy Odell Wilson, Vice President, New Hampshire Acupuncture and Asian Medicine Association Support04:53:06.600 - 1:51:52 PM; Amy Odell Wilson, a licensed acupuncturist and vice president of the New Hampshire Acupuncture and Asian Medicine Association, expressed strong support for HB275. She highlighted the benefits of acupuncture, sharing specific cases from her practice where acupuncture significantly reduced pain and improved patient function at a lower cost than traditional medical treatments. Wilson emphasized the need for education about acupuncture's benefits and the importance of insurance coverage for multiple visits, as required by different patients, to achieve long-term pain management.
HB275: John DeJoy, New Hampshire Psychological Association Support05:02:42.080 - 2:01:28 PM; John DeJoy, representing the New Hampshire Psychological Association, supported HB275, focusing on the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to pain management. He referenced the work of Dr. Walder, who could not attend, and highlighted the significance of psychological treatments like pain catastrophizing and psychosocial factors in managing pain. DeJoy offered to provide a clinical practice guide for treating chronic pain conditions and stressed the value of integrating primary care and behavioral health for effective pain management.
HB275: Cindy Steinberg, US Pain Foundation Support05:05:06.600 - 2:03:52 PM; Cindy Steinberg, representing the US Pain Foundation, strongly supported HB275, emphasizing the need for multimodal pain treatment. She discussed the national impact of chronic pain and the limitations of current pain management options, particularly the reliance on opioids due to a lack of new pain medications. Steinberg highlighted the importance of combining various treatments, such as medications, complementary therapies, and behavioral treatments, to effectively manage chronic pain. She advocated for the bill to provide access to non-invasive, cost-effective treatments and shared her personal journey with chronic pain management.
HB275: Michelle Heon, Director of Life and Health, New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only05:16:35.280 - 2:15:21 PM; Michelle Heon, from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, provided information on the fiscal implications of HB275 without taking a position on the bill. She discussed the potential need for a mandate analysis, which could cost between $20,000 and $40,000, and noted that the department lacks the expertise to review clinical guidelines as required by the bill, estimating an additional $250,000 would be needed to outsource this work. Heon highlighted the potential costs to the state if the bill expands current insurance mandates.
HB275: Ander Hosmer, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Oppose05:20:02.520 - 2:18:48 PM; Ander Hosmer, representing Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, expressed opposition to HB275, stating that the bill is unnecessary as insurers already cover a wide range of pain management services as alternatives to opioids. He highlighted that Harvard Pilgrim supports evidence-based treatments and covers services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and behavioral health care. While they do not cover meditation through external providers, mindfulness resources are available on their website. Hosmer also mentioned that Harvard Pilgrim covers FDA-approved non-opioid drug products for pain management and has a member-facing website for pain management information. He argued that insurers design plans to meet membership needs and that mandating new benefits would increase costs for employers and consumers. He also raised concerns about the ability of some provider types to submit claims for reimbursement, which could challenge the building of an adequate network.
HB275: Sabrina Dunlap, Anthem Oppose05:24:30.200 - 2:23:16 PM; Sabrina Dunlap, Director of Government Relations for Anthem, opposed HB275, echoing many points made by Ander Hosmer. She noted that Anthem has been involved in discussions about the bill for years and believes that insurers already cover many of the services listed, such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Dunlap pointed out practical issues with network problems, especially with acupuncturists, and licensing and billing challenges with services like massage therapy and mindfulness. She mentioned that the bill's effective date of July 1st, 2025, would be challenging and that it would only apply to the fully insured market. She suggested that the problem lies more with provider education and culture around pain treatment rather than insurance coverage.
HB275: Paula Rogers, America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Information Only05:27:08.520 - 2:25:54 PM; Paula Rogers, representing AHIP, provided information related to HB275. She discussed the challenges of fitting the bill into a regulatory setting and mentioned a recent JAMA article that surveyed states attempting similar legislation. Rogers suggested the need for interprofessional discussions among providers, especially in primary care settings, to better address chronic pain management. She proposed that insurance companies could use co-pays and deductibles to guide patients towards alternative treatments before surgical options. Rogers emphasized the importance of integrated care models and the need for more coordination among healthcare providers to effectively manage pain.
HB275: Representative Gibbs Information Only05:32:44.958 - 2:31:30 PM; Representative Gibbs inquired about the lack of coordination among providers mentioned by Paula Rogers. Rogers acknowledged the need for more interprofessional discussion about pain management, suggesting that primary care practices should be more comfortable understanding the array of treatments available. She noted that while she did not have all the answers, she believed something was missing in the current approach to managing chronic pain.
HB275: Michelle Heaton, Director of Life and Health at the New Hampshire Insurance Department Support05:37:31.160 - 2:36:17 PM; Michelle Heaton, representing the New Hampshire Insurance Department, introduced the bill HB275, which aims to strengthen the data collection in the New Hampshire Comprehensive Health Information System (CHIS). She explained that the current law does not allow the state to mandate self-funded plans to submit their data, but they must opt-in voluntarily. The proposed amendment seeks to incentivize self-funded plans to participate by offering them access to their own claims data. This incentive, according to Heaton, would help manage any additional administrative costs within the current budget, thus having no fiscal impact. Dr. Jayon Asis, Director of Health Economics at the department, was also present to answer any detailed questions about the CHIS.
HB275: Dr. Jayon Asis, Director of Health Economics at the New Hampshire Insurance Department Support05:39:03.920 - 2:37:49 PM; Dr. Jayon Asis elaborated on the utility of the CHIS, noting that currently, about 28% of the data in the CHIS comes from self-insured members. He emphasized the importance of increasing the representation of self-insured market data to enhance the system's utility for the state's citizens and committees. He also mentioned that the industry prefers the effective date of the bill to be January 1 instead of 60 days after passage, and they have no objection to this amendment. Asis clarified that the bill would allow employers to receive their data at the end of their plan year, addressing concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of data to identify high-cost employees.
HB275: Representative Sharesa Information Only05:41:29.798 - 2:40:15 PM; Representative Sharesa sought clarification on what constitutes a self-funded employer health benefit plan. It was explained that these are plans where the employer retains the risk and does not purchase large group insurance products regulated by the state. Instead, they design and implement their plans, often using insurance companies for administration but not for bearing the risk. The discussion touched on the history of such plans, dating back to legislation signed by President Gerald Ford, and their prevalence among larger employers who prefer a uniform plan across multiple states.
HB275: Unnamed Speaker Information Only05:46:13.200 - 2:44:59 PM; An unnamed speaker further discussed the objectives of HB275, which aim to enhance the representativeness of claims data from large self-funded plans in the CHIS. It was noted that these plans constitute a significant portion of the commercial market in New Hampshire. The speaker addressed the need for employers to have access to their claims data to shop their plans effectively and manage costs, highlighting the fiduciary value of such insights. They also clarified the role of third-party administrators (TPAs) in these plans and mentioned that the legislation was partly driven by municipal plans like Primex.
HB275: Unnamed Speaker Information Only05:49:24.718 - 2:48:10 PM; Another unnamed speaker discussed the operational aspects of the CHIS and how it collects data from plans operating in New Hampshire. They emphasized that the bill's aim is to provide an incentive for self-funded plans to opt into the system voluntarily, as the state cannot mandate their participation. The speaker corrected the name of the database to the New Hampshire Comprehensive Health Information System (CHIS) and explained its broader scope beyond just claims data, including data on hospital procedures and outcomes to help consumers make informed healthcare decisions.

Hunt, John(Chairman)(R)[B+]2024	Post, Lisa(Clerk)(R)[A]2024	Potucek, John(V Chairman)(R)[A]2024
Salvi, Santosh(D)	Chourasia, Manoj(D)	Ammon, Keith(R)[A+]2024
Herbert, Christopher(D)[F]2024	Osborne, Jason(R)[A]2024	Cole, Brian(R)[B-]2024
Walsh, Lilli(R)[B]2024	Porcelli, Susan(R)[A-]2024	Spier, Carry(D)[CT]2024
Burroughs, Anita(D)[CT]2024	Gibbs, Merryl(D)[CT]2024	McAleer, Chris(D)[CT]2024
Sullivan, Jared(D)[D+]2024	Miles, Julie(R)	Presa, Adam(R)