Public Announcements

New Hampshire HB103: What You Need to Know

Written by Susan Paschell, Senior Associate at The Dupont Group

The NH Legislature, Department of Health & Human Services, oral health and health care advocates have been working to establish an adult dental benefit under Medicaid for a number of years.

In 2019, HB 4, the budget bill, and HB 692, a standalone on the dental benefit, both addressed the benefit and created a working group, which NHDHA served on.

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/billText.aspx?sy=2019&id=640&txtFormat=html

In 2020, HB 250 was introduced, passed both bodies, but was vetoed because the Governor said the $11M price tag was too high: https://www.governor.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt336/files/documents/hb250-veto-message.pdf

In 2021, HB 103 was introduced and was the subject of numerous work sessions and hearings. It was eventually passed by the House, 237-100, on March 16, 2022.

Note that as passed by the House, HB 103 limits coverage for dentures.

Statements by House Finance Committee members included the assertion that since active military aren’t provided with dentures (not true), Medicaid eligible adults shouldn’t be either; and that Medicaid recipients would not know how to care for dentures, so why should the state pay for them.

NHDHA submitted the attached letter to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, which heard HB 103 on March 30^th.

We expect the Committee will act on it on Wednesday April 13^th.

The companion bill, SB 422, which does not include the limit on coverage for dentures, is in the House Finance Committee.

That Committee held a hearing and work session on April 5^th.

NHDHA submitted a letter, again stating support for the benefit but concerns about the limit on dentures; however, the proponents of that limit are on the Finance Committee and are very vocal, so we do not expect them to amend the bill to our liking.

It is very likely that the House and Senate will send the two bills to a committee of conference where compromise language will be agreed upon.

Because the state is in much better financial shape and because the $21M Centene settlement funds may cover the costs, we are hopeful the Governor will finally sign the bill this year.

Susan Paschell,

Senior Associate, The Dupont Group

29 School Street, Suite 200

Concord NH 03301

603-228-3322  ext. 107