Priority Update This week cannot hope to live up to the frenetic activity of last week, but there continue to be a number of important bills still "in play". In addition, CACR 6 and CACR 12 are now in the House's possession and they must decide how to proceed. SB 284 is still being considered by the Senate Health and Human Services committee. Information is included on these bills below as well as other scheduled hearings . Your representatives need to hear from you about these important pieces of legislation.
NH CAN is tracking Priorities and Past Priorities in the legislative tracking form. This will be updated and posted to the web weekly. If we have omitted a piece of legislation, please bring it to our attention at [email protected] .
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Health & Wellness legislative tracking (Excel) Insurance Parity
Members of the Senate Finance Committee were met with strong opposition to SB 150 last week. This well attended hearing was important not only because of the threat posed by SB 150, but because it was essentially a "dress rehearsal" for HB 309, the NH CAN lead Health and Well-Being Priority.
The intent of the legislation was to repeal insurance mandates, including Connor's Law and the Early Childhood Mandate, the two pillars on which families rely for insurance coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders and developmental delays. Testimony was provided by several parents who spoke about the progress their children have made, thanks to the intensive, early treatment made available under state insurance mandates.
Along with an outcry from consumer groups, the committee learned that Harvard Pilgrim was unsupportive of the measure and that Anthem, while officially neutral, was unlikely to write the type of policies contemplated by the measure. As one committee member put it, "Sounds like the wrong answer to the question" [of increasing premium costs].
We must continue to advocate for HB 309, to protect Connor's Law and the Early Childhood Mandate. HB 309 will be heard by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on March 8 at 1:00 p.m. in room 100 at the State House.
For further information, contact Kirsten Murphy, of the NH Council on Autism Disorders, at [email protected]
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Economic Security legislative tracking (Excel) This is NH CAN's lead Priority for Economic Security.
As we discussed last week, CACR 6 was amended into a tax cap bill by the Senate. This means that, if passed, future NH budgets will be limited in growth to no more than the cost of living. If the cost of living goes up by 1.5%, but the cost of healthcare goes up by 10+%, we cannot increase the budget to cover the increased costs. This will necessitate additional cuts to children's programs year after year. The unintended consequences of this type of bill are significant. NH CAN will continue working to ensure that this misguided bill does not become law. Again, the House will to decide whether they want to discuss the Senate changes in a Committee of Conference. Stay tuned for more information.
. Click here to view more information about this bill and to access talking points.
Call talking to your representatives about the negative consequences of CACR 6.
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Education legislative tracking (Excel)
This is NH CAN's lead Priority for Education.
CACR 12, which changes the requirements for the state funding of education, passed the full Senate on 2/15, by a vote of 17 - 7. There was a "compromise" amendment, introduced by Senate Leadership, which passed. The amendment changed the language of the bill, maintaining the "state responsibility" for education.
House Leadership have expressed their disagreement with the changes. Now the House must decide how to proceed with CACR 12. It is expected that the differences will be addressed in a Committee of Conference, but stay tuned. For more information about CACR 12, go to the Defending NH Public Education web site.
Continue talking to your representatives about the negative consequences of CACR 12.
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Schedule
Hearings on Priorities 3/8 - 1:00 PM - HB 309 - relative to insurance mandates (State House Room 100) 2/23 - 1:00 PM - SB 284 - relative to access to oral healthcare (LOB 102)
Next Senate session ~ 3/7/12 - 10 AM Next House session ~ 3/7/12 - 9 AM
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Accountability Meeting We are continuing work on a legislative accountability tool, one of NH CAN's 2012 goals. We will be reporting on legislators votes on bills that are important to NH's children and families. We expect to publish this measure in June.
Currently, we are determining which bills should be included in this type of tool. Your input is welcomed and encouraged. Please e-mail [email protected] with your thoughts and ideas.
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