April 11, 2016                                                      
HIAP e-Newsletter 
Time to breathe a little! With the 2 year reauthorization of the New Hampshire Health Protection behind us, we have just a few things left that concern us in this legislative session.  One surprise is the revival of the enhanced protections for breast feeding mothers that has crossed over from the Senate to the House in SB488. We got a bill with workplace protections for breast feeding mothers through the Senate and through a House committee last session but the leadership in the House laid it on the table. It hadn't been brought back up (a common fate for bills that are laid in the table by leadership) until it was suddenly passed by the Senate as SB488. This was so recent that we really didn't find ourselves able to get organized around testifying again on it last week. Executive session on SB488 in the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee is happening on Tuesday, April 12.  If this subject inspires you, you can weigh in with the legislators on that committee via group email or you can view the committee roster.  This lists the contact information of the individual members if you want to target just those with whom you feel you have some influence.

We will let you know soon how things stand with our efforts on two other bills that came over from the House to the Senate and had hearings in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee last week.  These were the bill to outlaw sexual orientation conversion therapy of minors by licensed professionals (HB1661) and the bill that would overturn our law protecting patients' access to reproductive healthcare facilities by allowing the creation of buffer zones for unimpeded access (HB1570). No-one from NHPHA was available to attend the hearing on HB1661, but we submitted written testimony. We did deliver testimony on HB1570. We will monitor the legislative calendars and notify you when these bills are scheduled to be acted on in committee executive session.
Updates on the NH Health Protection Program (Medicaid Expansion)
By Marie Mulroy

Photographs Source:  Union Leader, April 5, 2016

On Tuesday, April 5th, Governor Hassan signed HB1696 into law.   NHPHA was honored that we were able to participate in the ceremonial signing of this piece of legislation which extends health coverage to those who most need it.  We again thank you for all your hard work and wish you the best. 
 
This Week at the State House 

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

Bill
Title
Status
NHPHA Position
(new Title) Establishing A Statewide Drug Offender Grant Program and Making Appropriations Therefor, and Relative to Transferring Certain Revenues to The Revenue Stabilization Reserve Account.

This bill establishes the statewide drug offender grant program administered by the office of drug offender program coordinator. Grants are paid by the administrative office of the superior court to counties meeting the requirements. The bill establishes an advisory commission and makes appropriations for grants for the administration and funding of drug courts and alternative drug offender programs. The bill also provides for a transfer of excess revenues to the revenue stabilization reserve account...
House Public Hearing: 04/14/2016 10:00 AM LOB 210-211
Support
Priority #1
Relative to Prior Authorization For Substance Abuse Treatment.

This bill requires carriers to provide either coverage for medically necessary substance abuse treatment without prior authorization for a certain period of time or a 24 - hour hotline for assessment by a medical clinician or licensed alcohol and drug counselor.

House Public Hearing: 04/14/2016 11:30 AM LOB 302
Support
Priority #2


Climate Change and Clean Air

Bill
Title
Status
NHPHA Position
Establishing A Committee to Study The Feasibility Of Incorporating Complete Streets Into The 10-year Transportation Improvement Plan.

This bill establishes a committee to study the feasibility of incorporating complete streets into the 10-year transportation improvement plan.
House Subcommittee Work Session: 04/12/2016  1:00 PM
LOB 201
Support
Priority #1


Ensuring Health Equity and Social Justice

Bill
Title
Status
NHPHA Position
(second New Title) Relative to Breastfeeding.

This bill requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to women who are breastfeeding and exempts a nursing mother from jury duty.
House Executive Session: 04/12/2016   1:00 PM LOB 302
Support
Priority #2

 
Upcoming Events

NHPHA 2016 Annual Meeting
April 13, 2016 - 4 PM to 7 PM
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, Concord
For more information and to register, click here

NH Healthy Homes Breakfast
May 11, 2016 (rescheduled from March 16) - 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM
State House Dining Room
 
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