tracks a variety of bills and proposed regulations of possible interest to
members. While it is impossible for ACNM to conduct a comprehensive search for
each state, we strive to identify measures related to licensure and regulation,
full practice authority, insurance and reimbursement, medical liability, and
women's health issues. Members are encouraged to check this site frequently for
updates on the current status of legislative and regulatory issues.
The 2014 New Hampshire legislative session convenes January 8 and adjourns July 1.
New Laws
Health Insurance Coverage Access
New Hampshire S.413 establishes the New Hampshire Health Protection Program and the New
Hampshire Health Protection Trust Fund to pay program costs and to
accept federal moneys for the programs, which relate to private insurance coverage for uninsured, low income citizens
using available, cost-effective health care coverage options for
Medicaid newly eligible individuals. The bill was signed into law on March 27.
Direct-Entry Midwifery
Provision of Midwife Services Medical Intervention
New Hampshire H.1538 concerns medical intervention in midwifery services. The bill states in its entirety: "Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the client from maintaining the ultimate authority in deciding the location, management, and individuals involved in her care and the care of her baby, both prior to delivery and during the postpartum period. If at any point a medical intervention is recommended by a person she has hired to provide for intrapartum care, that person shall provide information about the risks and benefits of such medical intervention. The client may then opt to sign a waiver stating that she is informed of the risks and benefits of such medical intervention and is refusing such intervention and declining treatment. "Medical intervention" shall include any intervention into the course of an unmanaged, physiological delivery, including the physical movement of the client from her chosen birth place or the involvement of medical care or medical professionals assigned to her care. If the client refuses recommended intervention, the midwife who is caring for her may choose to continue to support her or may call the local hospital to notify it that she is unable to continue care. No individual who supports a woman in the process of normal physiological birth shall be sanctioned for providing support to a woman in unmanaged labor." The bill failed to pass the House on March 6.
Health Insurance and Reimbursement
Insurance Incentives to Lower Health Care Costs
New Hampshire H.1158 proposes to require health insurance carriers issuing health benefit plans under the managed care law to offer financial incentives to covered persons for obtaining services from less expensive health care providers, based on the contract payment rate between the carrier and the provider. Maternity care is included in this bill. The bill was introduced on January 8.
Self-Pay Hospital Patients
New Hampshire H.1612 would require hospitals to charge self-pay patients no more than the Medicaid rate for medical services. The bill would also mandate that managed care organizations shall not contract with any health care provider or provider organization when either entity is under the control of a hospital. The bill was introduced on January 8.
Federal Health Care Reform
New Hampshire S.412 repeals the joint health care reform oversight committee and deletes the prohibition relative to a state-based health exchange. The bill also requires insurance carriers which offer a health insurance product on the health exchange that consists of a narrow network to also offer a broad network individual product. The bill failed to pass the House on March 6.
Women's Health and Reproductive Rights
Induced Termination of Pregnancy Statistics
New Hampshire H.1502 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to keep an annual statistical report of each induced termination of pregnancy performed and submit the report to the legislature. The Department assumes the report may be used to: 1). Identify characteristics of women who are at high risk of unintended pregnancy; 2). Evaluate the effectiveness of programs for reducing teen pregnancies and unintended pregnancies among women of all ages; 3) Calculate pregnancy rates based on the number of pregnancies ending in abortion in conjunction with birth data and fetal loss estimates; and 4). Monitor changes in clinical practice patterns related to abortion, such as changes in the types of procedures used, and weeks of gestation at the time of abortion, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). TThe bill was introduced on January 8.
