Committee Summary for Senate Health and Human Services (01/14/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB545 00:03:23.200 - 8:02:39 AM	Public Hearing	relative to financial eligibility for the Medicare savings program.	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025
SB546 00:33:08.559 - 8:32:24 AM	Public Hearing	relative to health carrier network access monitoring.	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025
SB610 Committee Amendment (page 2, line 12: may to shall; page 2, line 28: add 'After a comment period, the commissioner shall hold a public hearing') 01:12:14.560 - 9:11:30 AM	Executive Session	requiring an opportunity for public comment prior to proposed long-term care rate increases under certain circumstances.	Ricciardi, Denise(R)[B]2025
SB543 Committee Amendment (page 2, line 1: change $1.5 million to $1 million; page 2, lines 8-9: strike Crotch Mountain Rehabilitation Center) 01:15:24.159 - 9:14:40 AM	Executive Session	relative to long-term care eligibility and making an appropriation therefor.	Abbas, Daryl(R)[B-]2025
SB547 01:17:09.840 - 9:16:25 AM	Public Hearing	relative to regulation and transparency of pharmacy benefit manager practices.	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025
SB548 02:10:11.840 - 10:09:27 AM	Public Hearing	relative to health carrier provider contract standards.	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025
SB457 04:01:15.279 - 12:00:31 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the licensing of international physicians.	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025
SB645 104 04:18:10.159 - 12:17:26 PM	Public Hearing	relative to income eligibility for the New Hampshire child care scholarship program and reallocating certain revenue to fund the program.	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025
SB608 089 04:47:00.958 - 12:46:16 PM	Public Hearing	relative to family caregiver support in certain programs and child care support for kinship caregivers.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
SB608 05:25:21.680 - 1:24:37 PM	Public Hearing	relative to family caregiver support in certain programs and child care support for kinship caregivers.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
SB615 05:39:33.520 - 1:38:49 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the use and regulation of EBT cards and SNAP eligibility.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025

SB545: Senator Sydney Rosenwald, District 13 Support00:03:23.200 - 8:02:39 AM; Senator Rosenwald introduced Senate Bill 545, the Help for Lowincome Seniors Act of 2026, aimed at assisting low-income Granite Staters with Medicare Parts A, B, and D costs through changes to Medicaid Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). The bill removes the asset limit of $9,600 for individuals and $14,400 for couples, potentially making several hundred more eligible while easing administrative burdens on the Department of Health and Human Services. Income limits remain in place. It also clarifies continued facilitation of enrollment in federally funded low-income drug subsidies, addressing confusion from Congress's HR1. She emphasized the importance for seniors who have paid into Medicare their whole lives.
SB545: Senator Sydney Rosenwald, District 13 Support00:03:23.200 - 8:02:39 AM; Senator Rosenwald concludes her testimony emphasizing the plight of low-income seniors who, despite having modest earnings, cannot afford Medicare deductibles and co-pays, especially as their medical needs increase. She shares personal encounters with such individuals in her district and urges the committee to support the Help for Low-Income Seniors Act of 2026 as a reasonable solution. She addresses questions about a similar previous bill that had a higher fiscal note due to removing both asset and income limits, noting this version only removes the asset limit, reducing the fiscal impact to an estimated $1.5 to $3 million. She explains the asset limit's history, adjusted annually with federal poverty levels, currently at $9,600 for an individual, and in place since the program's inception.
SB545: Senator Abar Information Only00:08:55.360 - 8:08:11 AM; Senator Abar asks a question about the duration of the asset requirement in the Medicare Savings Programs.
SB545: Mary Roers, AARP New Hampshire Support00:10:11.600 - 8:09:27 AM; Mary Roers testifies in support of SB 545, which removes resource limits for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) to ensure access to the Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help) for prescription drugs. AARP advocates for older adults' financial security, and this bill addresses healthcare affordability for low-income seniors and disabled individuals. By eliminating the resource limit, it allows those with modest savings to qualify without disqualification, maintaining a financial cushion. Upon CMS approval, it will reduce prescription costs and Part D premiums, easing burdens from rising expenses like food, shelter, and healthcare on fixed incomes. This provides relief from Medicare deductibles, co-pays, and Part B premiums, enabling access to necessary medications and preventing impossible choices.
SB545: Judith Jones, New Futures and New Hampshire Alliance for Healthy Aging Support00:14:39.600 - 8:13:55 AM; Judith Jones supports SB 545, highlighting how it returns dollars to low-income older adults by covering the $174 monthly Medicare Part B premium. She provides a chart explaining traditional Medicare costs (deductibles, co-pays) versus Medicare Advantage (lower premiums but still requires Part B payment in NH plans) and Part D prescription benefits. The bill expands MSP eligibility, automatically qualifying more for the federal Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), bringing federal dollars to NH. MSPs offer tiered coverage based on income, with modest resource limits ($2,500-$9,600) that discourage savings needed for home care, property taxes, and repairs to avoid nursing homes. Benefits include federal matching funds (some 100%), reduced DHS administrative burden, economic relief for seniors, and support for those switching from shrinking Medicare Advantage plans (from 35 to 19 in NH). She assures no compliance jeopardy, as federal law allows state flexibility on resources. She urges support for this tangible aid.
SB545: Lori Raymond, Partnership for Public Health and Senior Medicare Patrol Support00:21:07.919 - 8:20:23 AM; Lori Raymond supports SB 545 based on her experience as a former SHIP counselor and current Senior Medicare Patrol specialist, helping seniors enroll in Medicare and insurance programs. She shares stories from across NH of older adults and families unable to access assistance due to modest savings, feeling punished for proactive retirement planning. These savings are essential for housing taxes, car maintenance, and unexpected costs, while Medicare deductibles and premiums rise annually. Many struggle to afford coverage despite hard work and fixed incomes in retirement. The bill strengthens MSPs to cover Medicare costs, allowing preservation of savings and providing tremendous relief. She draws from personal family experience with the program.
SB545: Cheryl Steinberg, Director of Justice and Aging Project, New Hampshire Legal Assistance Support00:24:24.480 - 8:23:40 AM; Cheryl Steinberg testified in support of SB 545, highlighting the increasing legal needs of seniors aged 60 and older due to financial exploitation and high cost of living. She noted a marked increase in clients facing eviction, foreclosure, and inability to afford rent or medications. A recent legal needs assessment confirmed widespread financial concerns among seniors. Two-thirds of their clients are income-eligible for Medicare Savings Programs, with over 40% at or below the federal poverty line, though many are barred by resource limits. She shared an example of a client exploited by her daughter, struggling with rent increases and uncovered medications, where an extra $200 monthly could make a significant difference in maintaining housing and health. Steinberg emphasized that the program is federally funded, reducing state costs, and eliminating the asset test would alleviate administrative burdens on the overwhelmed Department of Health and Human Services, ultimately helping seniors remain healthy and self-sufficient.
SB545: David Chyney, Deputy Medicaid Director Information Only00:29:26.799 - 8:28:42 AM; David Chyney offered to answer questions on SB 545, agreeing in concept with the proposal to remove the asset test, estimating about 2,000 new enrollees. He noted that 10-15 states, including Alabama, Mississippi, Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Washington DC, have already removed the asset test. In response to a question on fiscal impacts, he explained that while the fiscal note estimates $2.3 million in general funds, removing the test saves on administrative costs (no specific estimate provided). He hypothesized that better access to Medicare benefits would lead to healthier individuals when they later qualify for Medicaid long-term care, potentially reducing institutionalization and bending the cost curve for the state's Medicaid program.
SB546: Senator Cindy Rosenwald, Sponsor, Senate District 13 Support00:33:08.559 - 8:32:24 AM; Senator Rosenwald introduced SB 546 to ensure Granite Staters have access to medical care covered by their health insurance through secret shopper surveys for commercial insurers. She explained that current network adequacy standards aim to provide timely and accessible in-network care, but regulators lack tools to verify compliance, leading to long waits and travel distances. The bill proposes independent callers posing as patients to gather real-world data on appointment availability, a method already used for Medicaid managed care and ACA marketplace plans by carriers like Anthem and Harvard Pilgrim. Citing a 2023 KFF survey showing over 25% of insured adults facing unavailable in-network appointments and 91% supporting accurate network information, she highlighted New Hampshire's poor ranking (17th lowest) in behavioral health access with high out-of-network utilization. Rosenwald urged support to hold insurers accountable, noting potential premium increases but also revenue gains from the insurance premium tax. She mentioned the Insurance Department is developing related rules and suggested holding the bill to evaluate them.
SB546: Michelle Heaton, Director of Life and Health, New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only00:39:19.040 - 8:38:35 AM; Michelle Heaton provided detailed information on New Hampshire's network adequacy standards, noting that the state has been a leader since 2017-2018 with rules more stringent than federal CMS standards, which apply only to QHP plans while NH's cover the entire major medical managed care market. Using federal grant money, they reviewed and confirmed their approach's stringency, focusing on service-level access via claims data and including non-physician providers like PAs and APRNs, which federal standards overlook. They are updating rules to align better with federal ones without reducing stringency, with drafts ready for rulemaking soon. On secret shopper audits, she explained challenges in NH, such as solo providers (especially in mental health) being hard to reach, requiring callbacks that may not happen, and specialists demanding patient details before scheduling, adding complexity. After reviewing federal guidance, they decided against incorporating secret shopper due to administrative burden and inefficacy, preferring alternative methods to assess wait times, while monitoring federal developments for future consideration.
SB546: Deborah Steinberg, Senior Health Policy Attorney, Legal Assistance Center Support00:47:55.599 - 8:47:11 AM; Deborah Steinberg supported SB 546, acknowledging NH's leadership in network adequacy but highlighting persistent issues like daily overdose and suicide deaths, and disproportionate out-of-network use for mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) care compared to medical care, violating parity laws. She noted people go out-of-network 40 times more often for therapists than physician assistants, emphasizing the need for equal access to therapy. Addressing secret shopper concerns, she argued it mimics real patient experiences, including difficulties like no callbacks, and is the industry standard used in federal marketplaces, Medicaid, and by the Department of Labor for parity enforcement. Despite shortages in both mental health and primary care, access to primary care is better without frequent out-of-network reliance, so secret shopper can ensure enforcement when other methods are limited.
SB546: Sam Burgess, Healthcare Policy Director, New Futures Support00:51:33.599 - 8:50:49 AM; Sam Burgess supported SB 546, explaining that network adequacy standards without enforcement like secret shopper audits lead to ghost networks, inaccurate directories, and long wait times. He referenced a sign-on letter from eight patient and provider groups. Highlighting the New Hampshire Psychological Association's view, he noted current standards fail, with even clinicians struggling for in-network referrals, especially for youth and specialized testing; audits would provide consumer-level data on wait times and availability, improving transparency and preventing crises, hospitalizations, and costs. He shared patient Kristen Merritt's story from Hollis, who faced unreachable or unavailable in-network providers for an urgent issue, was denied a single case agreement, and paid out-of-pocket after futile appeals. He urged an ought-to-pass vote, emphasizing secret shopper as a tested federal solution to make networks real protections.
SB546: Sam Hawkins, Representative, NAMI New Hampshire Support00:54:36.960 - 8:53:52 AM; Sam Hawkins spoke in support of SB 546 on behalf of NAMI New Hampshire, sharing stories of individuals and families unable to access MH/SUD treatment despite insurer lists of up to 20 providers, who often don't answer, aren't accepting new patients, are at capacity, no longer take the insurance, or have stopped practicing, leading to delays, negative outcomes, or costly out-of-network care. Addressing workforce shortages, he noted they are separate from network standards but payer practices impact the workforce, with providers dropping insurance due to contracting, billing issues, or low reimbursements, opting for cash-pay patients. He appreciated the Insurance Department's efforts and advocated for involvement to ensure practical enforcement reflecting patient experiences, urging an ought-to-pass recommendation.
SB546: Sabrina Dunlap, Senior Director of Government Relations, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in New Hampshire Oppose00:57:32.799 - 8:56:48 AM; Sabrina Dunlap opposed SB 546, questioning the problem it solves since it doesn't address provider wait times, which are controlled by providers, not insurers, and adds unnecessary regulation and administrative costs to an already highly regulated area under state law like 420-J:7. The Insurance Department has authority to enforce existing network adequacy and directory requirements, which Anthem maintains through thorough processes, provider contracts, regular reminders, attestations, and a directory accuracy program using multiple data sources. However, providers sometimes fail to update information. She criticized secret shopper as burdensome based on recent federal ACA experience, imposing costs and complexity without clear consumer benefits, especially amid efforts to control healthcare costs. The bill ignores providers' roles and would tie NH to federal standards unnecessarily; she recommended inexpedient to legislate.
SB546: Paula Rogers, Representative, America's Health Insurance Plans Oppose01:02:11.920 - 9:01:27 AM; Paula Rogers opposed SB 546 on behalf of America's Health Insurance Plans, noting the bill ties NH to CMS's 2025 letter to issuers without addressing network adequacy issues, as the short 420-J:7 statute grants rulemaking authority to the Insurance Commissioner. She referenced the extensive 3738-page managed care regulation, with the first 16-17 pages detailing NH's 2017-2018 standards tailored to geography (urban, middle, rural by county), mileage, provider distances, and procedure codes for viable networks. She implied no need for the bill given existing comprehensive rules, though her testimony was cut off.
SB546: Paula Rogers, Representative, America's Health Insurance Plans Oppose01:03:41.520 - 9:02:57 AM; Paula Rogers continues her testimony on the importance of existing New Hampshire standards for network adequacy, which categorize services into core, common, and specialty and use driving times to ensure compliance. She discusses the 'secret shopper' component in the bill, noting its use in CHIP, Medicaid, and ACA coverages, but emphasizes that the federal CMS guidelines are less stringent than New Hampshire's current requirements. She questions the efficacy of secret shopping data and urges caution in importing federal provisions without analysis tailored to New Hampshire's small market. Rogers expresses concern over low availability of mental health and SUD providers in the state, attributing it to market realities rather than carrier actions, and stresses that health plans strive to maintain adequate networks. She recommends considering secret shoppers but not adopting the bill as it may not expand opportunities effectively.
SB546: Peter Bragden, Senior Policy Adviser, Preti Strategies, representing Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Oppose01:09:30.799 - 9:08:46 AM; Peter Bragden supports the robust network adequacy system already in place with the Insurance Department and argues against adding unnecessary layers from federal guidelines. He highlights concerns with the 80% provider compliance provision and associated penalties, noting that carriers should not be penalized for shortages beyond their control, such as insufficient providers in a geographic area or when providers fail to notify of changes in patient acceptance as required by state law.
SB610 Committee Amendment (page 2, line 12: may to shall; page 2, line 28: add 'After a comment period, the commissioner shall hold a public hearing'): Committee Members Vote01:12:14.560 - 9:11:30 AM; The committee moves to executive session and considers SB 610. A motion for ought to pass with a committee amendment is made, changing 'may' to 'shall' on page 2, line 12, and adding a requirement for a public hearing after a comment period on page 2, line 28. The amendment passes 5-0, and the motion for ought to pass as amended passes by voice vote with no opposition.
SB543 Committee Amendment (page 2, line 1: change $1.5 million to $1 million; page 2, lines 8-9: strike Crotch Mountain Rehabilitation Center): Committee Members Vote01:15:24.159 - 9:14:40 AM; The committee discusses SB 543. A motion for ought to pass with a committee amendment is made, reducing the appropriation from $1.5 million to $1 million on page 2, line 1, and striking reference to Crotch Mountain Rehabilitation Center on lines 8-9. The amendment passes by voice vote, and the motion for ought to pass as amended passes unanimously with no opposition.
SB547: Senator Cindy Rosenwald, Senate District 13 Support01:17:09.840 - 9:16:25 AM; Senator Rosenwald introduces SB 547, aimed at regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), a concentrated industry with three main players controlling 80% of the market. She notes the rising cost of prescription drugs, now 23% of health care spending, and that over a quarter of residents skip medications due to cost. The bill addresses complexities beyond manufacturers by targeting PBM middlemen. It updates definitions to align with current practices, requires PBMs to have a fiduciary duty to hiring carriers (including conflict notifications), prohibits stricter pharmacy standards than federal or state regulations, and outlines five key changes with assistance from the National Academy of State Health Policy and the Insurance Department.
SB547: Senator Cindy Rosenwald, Senate District 13 Support01:20:56.560 - 9:20:12 AM; Senator Rosenwald continued her testimony on SB 547, emphasizing the need for pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to act as fiduciaries to their clients, citing a 2004 Maine law upheld by the First Circuit Court of Appeals and applicable to New Hampshire. She highlighted the bill's prohibition on spread pricing to prevent PBMs from charging more than they reimburse pharmacies, benefiting independent pharmacies. The bill also prevents steering customers to affiliated pharmacies, aiding rural residents' access to any network pharmacy. Finally, it mandates aggregate reporting of drug rebates and fees for transparency, enabling informed decisions in a free market for health care. She stressed the bipartisan nature of the solutions in SB 547 to address rising prescription drug costs.
SB547: DJ Bettencourt, Commissioner, New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only01:25:38.639 - 9:24:54 AM; DJ Bettencourt, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department, accompanied by Dr. Jason Azis, provides directional guidance on PBM reform. He emphasizes precision in identifying problems to solve, respecting market structures and contractual relationships, caution in expanding scope beyond fully insured markets due to ERISA preemption risks, focusing transparency on net costs, and avoiding protections that undermine cost control. He notes that several provisions in SB 547 align with these principles and offers the department as a resource for ongoing PBM-related legislation.
SB547: Dr. Jason Azis, Director of Data Analytics, New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only01:32:25.679 - 9:31:41 AM; Dr. Azis supports the transparency measures in SB 547, citing the GLP-1 drug market as an example where transparency enabled market forces to reduce costs by introducing a cheaper oral alternative. He agrees with annual reporting over quarterly due to estimation challenges in rebates and utilization data, emphasizing descriptive rather than operational use of the data.
SB547: Cam Leine, representing Sigma Information Only01:42:43.600 - 9:41:59 AM; Cam Leine points out technical drafting errors in SB 547: on page 2, line 5, Roman 1A should be 1B; on page 4, line 16, the enacting clause should repeal Roman 1 and 2 due to existing Roman 2 in statute.
SB547: Margaret Reynolds, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Sigma, representing Express Scripts Oppose01:44:48.320 - 9:44:04 AM; Margaret Reynolds argues that the definitions of 'affiliate' and 'pharmacy benefit manager' in SB 547 are overly broad, potentially including self-insured plans, workers' comp, and other third-party payers beyond health carriers. She opposes the fiduciary duty requirement, suggesting a duty of good faith and fair dealing instead, as PBMs lack independent management authority. On spread pricing, she recommends keeping it as an option for clients, potentially requiring pass-through as an alternative.
SB547: Cam Leine, representing American Property Casualty Insurance Association and New Hampshire Association of Domestic Insurance Companies Oppose01:48:00.239 - 9:47:16 AM; Cam Leine opposes including workers' compensation in the bill's regulatory scheme, noting that consumers do not pay for workers' comp benefits, so it does not align with the intent to reduce consumer costs.
SB547: Peter Bragdon, representing Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Oppose01:49:00.320 - 9:48:16 AM; Peter Bragdon opposes the ban on spread pricing in SB 547, arguing it provides pricing certainty and transfers risk to PBMs, reducing premium pressure. He explains that pass-through pricing increases administrative fees and could lead to higher costs. He highlights the need for tailored PBM contracts, auditing, and notes competitive disadvantages for regional, not-for-profit plans like Harvard Pilgrim, especially for smaller plans and self-insured clients. The bill applies only to 25% of the market, creating duplication.
SB547: Sam Hollmire, PCMA Oppose01:56:07.360 - 9:55:23 AM; Sam Hollmire opposes SB 547, citing concerns with the expanded PBM definition including self-funded plans (ERISA issue), fiduciary duty (PBMs lack discretion over prices), ban on spread pricing (removes risk mitigation option), restrictions on preferred pharmacy networks (increases costs), and burdensome quarterly reporting (suggest annual). He estimates $100 million annual cost to New Hampshire, totaling $1 billion over 10 years, without lowering drug manufacturer prices.
SB547: Curtis Barry, PCMA Oppose02:00:25.840 - 9:59:41 AM; Curtis Barry emphasizes that carriers oppose the bill's protections, questions competition concerns given multiple PBMs and vigorous market competition, argues against limiting contract options, and criticizes government dictation of private contracts. He references Ohio's $38 million cost increase from banning spread pricing in Medicaid.
SB547: Senator Cindy Rosenwald, Senate District 13 Support02:07:34.800 - 10:06:50 AM; Senator Rosenwald clarifies that Sigma owns Express Scripts, notes PBMs influence through rebates and formulary fees beyond just pricing, and explains that her initial draft allowed spread pricing options, which were removed based on Insurance Department input.
SB548: Senator Cindy Rosenwald, Senate District 13 Support02:10:11.840 - 10:09:27 AM; Senator Rosenwald introduces SB 548, which requires notice to patients affected by insurer-provider contract terminations impacting 1,000+ covered lives, triggering a public hearing by the Insurance Commissioner. It promotes transparency without interfering in negotiations, ensuring continuity of care for vulnerable patients, reducing disruptions, and building trust. She notes the fiscal note suggests frequent hearings, indicating broad application.
SB548: Michelle Heaton, Director of Life and Health, New Hampshire Insurance Department Support02:14:15.520 - 10:13:31 AM; Michelle Heaton conveys the department's broad support for public hearings and notices on large provider contract terminations, noting existing protections. She recommends technical amendments to clarify expectations, timing (threat vs. actual termination), and procedures, distinguishing from adjudicatory hearings under 541-A. She explains current focuses like continuation of care (60 days) and network adequacy, and offers to work with sponsors for workable language.
SB548: John Jerich, President of St. Joseph Hospital, Nashua Support02:22:42.880 - 10:21:58 AM; John Jerich supports SB 548, emphasizing its simplicity in allowing public comment on certain triggers for transparency. The bill levels the playing field by reducing noise in negotiations, enables questions about resources, and addresses issues like contract terminations not aligning with open enrollment, affecting thousands. It promotes transparency without breaching contract terms or compelling disclosure, while preserving free market negotiations between carriers and providers.
SB548: Jerry Hadley, Vice President of Finance, St. Joseph Hospital, Nashua Support02:24:46.479 - 10:24:02 AM; Jerry Hadley supports the bill, highlighting consequences of provider contract terminations on patients and hospitals. Patients face decisions to change long-term providers or pay out-of-network costs, disrupting care for chronic, behavioral health, maternity, and complex cases. For hospitals, it may require workforce adjustments or program cuts. The bill promotes transparency via public hearings for providers with over 1,000 covered lives, coordinating with the insurance commissioner, while maintaining insurers' negotiation rights.
SB548: Dr. Donald Ree, Medical Director, St. Joseph Hospital, Hollis Support02:27:19.359 - 10:26:35 AM; Dr. Donald Ree, a practicing internist with over 20 years in New Hampshire, supports the bill by stressing the patient-physician relationship built over time. He describes patients' anxiety from unilateral insurance letters during disputes, especially mid-treatment, causing worry about care continuity and scrambling for new providers. The bill's joint communication would outline patient rights for ongoing care and mention hearings, reducing unnecessary anxiety and improving the patient experience.
SB548: Sabrina Dunlap, Senior Director of Government Relations, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Oppose02:32:10.960 - 10:31:26 AM; Sabrina Dunlap opposes SB 548, citing technical issues raised by the department and current legal requirements for carriers to notify members upon termination, including next steps and continuity of care protections. She questions the bill's application if providers intend to terminate and notes carriers generally aim to renew contracts through good-faith negotiations. The draft's unclear timing for notices and hearings could distract from finalizing contracts, with misalignment in the 5-business-day and 15-day periods, and ambiguity on the hearing's purpose relative to termination.
SB548: Peter Bragden, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Information Only02:37:04.160 - 10:36:20 AM; Peter Bragden provides neutral input, agreeing with the department on needing clarity in the bill. Initially viewing it as mid-negotiation hearings, which he sees as problematic, he now thinks it may aim for post-termination public forums for better understanding. He notes carriers like Harvard Pilgrim send letters, post web info, and direct to member services upon termination, receiving calls. He flags issues with joint letters requiring agreement, potentially violating statutes if no consensus, as the department regulates carriers but not providers; separate letters are feasible but joint ones risk complications in disputes.
SB457: Senator Tara Rearen, District 15, Concord and Hopkinton Support04:01:15.279 - 12:00:31 PM; Senator Rearen introduces SB 457, modeled on Tennessee law, to facilitate licensing for international physicians. She notes productive discussions with OPLC, emphasizing qualifications, experience, and appeal processes. The bill covers comprehensive goals but suggests a neater, shorter version without a provisional license, deferring to experts for details and indicating an upcoming amendment.
SB457: Christine Stoddard, Bipartisan Primary Care Association Support04:02:21.199 - 12:01:37 PM; Stoddard apologizes for any alarm caused by the initial bill draft, noting it needs amendment. She highlights New Hampshire's healthcare workforce shortage, with insufficient physicians nationally. The bill aims to clarify and shorten the path to licensure for internationally trained physicians without changing existing statutes, making it easier to recruit. She mentions collaboration with Bipartisan Primary Care and others, including a colleague with 30 years in recruitment.
SB457: Ken Gordon, CEO, Coos County Family Health Services Support04:05:09.279 - 12:04:25 PM; Gordon supports SB 457 to clarify licensure paths for foreign-trained physicians. His FQHC serves 13,000 patients in northern NH, facing shortages amid economic challenges, aging population, and high chronic disease rates. Recruitment is difficult, especially in rural areas like Berlin-Gorham and Colebrook. He shares an example of a podiatrist from England who restarted training in the US, noting most cannot afford that. The bill provides a reasonable path with safeguards to expand recruitment tools statewide.
SB457: Ben Bradley, representing hospitals Support04:10:39.760 - 12:09:55 PM; Bradley supports the concept of licensing international physicians if they meet standard qualifications. He echoes workforce challenges and the need for NH to compete in recruiting qualified physicians. He offers to work with stakeholders and OPLC on amendments to ensure appropriate implementation.
SB457: Diana Jurus, Executive Director, OPLC Information Only04:12:24.720 - 12:11:40 PM; Jurus provides operational insights, noting the bill creates a new provisional license type, which may not be intended. Existing Board of Medicine rules (Med 302.01 and PLC 313) already allow licensure for foreign-trained physicians via reciprocity, requiring 10+ years practice plus 2 years postgraduate training (bill proposes 5 years). Rules can be waived for critical needs. OPLC is neutral but happy to collaborate on amendments to avoid disrupting pathways.
SB457: Lori Harding, Commission on Interdisciplinary Primary Care Workforce Support04:15:26.080 - 12:14:42 PM; Harding, a nurse and former House member, supports the initiative to address primary care shortages beyond just physicians, especially in rural areas. The commission recognizes the need for interdisciplinary workforce solutions. She identifies areas for refinement in the bill and offers collaboration from commission members, including residency chairs and Geisel Medical School affiliates, to develop an efficient program.
SB645 104: Senator Tara Rearen, District 15, Concord and Hopkinton Support04:18:10.159 - 12:17:26 PM; Senator Rearen presents SB 645 to expand child care scholarship eligibility from 85% to 95% of area median income (about $95,000 for a family of four), potentially aiding more families amid high costs ($32,800/year for two children). Current utilization is only 8% of 61,000 eligible kids. The bill adds $5-6 million via reallocated revenue; amendment 104 uses additional 2% lottery funds, increasing to ~$10 million, saving families up to $16,800/year. This supports workforce participation, housing affordability, and economic ripple effects.
SB645 104: Karen Heert, Director, and Brian Clark, Counsel, Division of Economic Stability, DHS Information Only04:25:01.920 - 12:24:17 PM; Heert and Clark explain SB 645 expands eligibility to 95% SMI, but federal CCDF limits apply to 85%, requiring separate tracking for 85-95% cases using state funds to avoid federal violations. Up to 6,000 children could qualify, but $10 million covers ~25%, with waitlists possible when funds deplete. Current annual budget is ~$53 million (including TANF transfers). Administrative needs include 9 additional FTEs (business administrator, system analyst, staff) for monitoring and caseload; fiscal note forthcoming.
SB645 104: Mackenzie Nicholson, Co-Senior Director, Moms Rising New Hampshire Support04:30:48.960 - 12:30:04 PM; Mackenzie Nicholson testified in support of SB 645, highlighting the severe affordability crisis in New Hampshire's child care sector. She noted that median household income falls $2,000 short of covering basic costs for a family of four, driven by rising expenses in housing, child care, and healthcare. Child care costs average over $30,000 annually for an infant and toddler, far exceeding the federal 7% affordability benchmark, requiring a family income of nearly $429,000 to qualify. She criticized the system for punishing families with small raises that disqualify them from scholarships, emphasizing child care as a public good essential for workforce participation, business growth, and child development. Nicholson cited a Fiscal Policy Institute study showing $56 million in annual business losses due to child care shortages, and long-term inequities for caregivers, particularly mothers. She urged dedicated revenue to address supply constraints and high demand, noting strong public support for taxing wealthier households to fund expanded access. She called for centering families and providers in solutions to enable work, community retention, and reliable care.
SB645 104: David Trumble, Resident, Town of Ware (likely Ware, NH) Support04:36:58.639 - 12:36:14 PM; David Trumble, a former stay-at-home dad, supported SB 645 based on personal experience with child care challenges. He explained that families' earnings and wealth are lowest when children are young, necessitating societal support, as wealth triples by age 16 per a US Treasury report. He highlighted the federal 7% child care affordability benchmark versus the 30% average spend for non-qualifying families, leading to workforce exits, missed opportunities, and lifetime wage losses (e.g., 40% wage drop for MBAs after 18 months out). Trumble cited Fiscal Policy Institute data: 17,000 monthly labor force dropouts, 13% parental job losses, 7% terminations, and nearly half reducing hours, costing NH $180 million in wages and $14 million in taxes annually. Investing $10 million via the bill would yield net benefits, including $9 societal return per preschool dollar and reduced school remediation costs. He compared US spending ($2,400 per child) unfavorably to the EU average ($4,700), urging passage to help families contribute economically.
SB645 104: Coralyn Hoppy, Executive Director, Rochester Child Care Support04:41:36.240 - 12:40:52 PM; Coralyn Hoppy described ongoing struggles at Rochester Child Care, serving nearly 300 children, despite recent eligibility expansions. As a $3.5 million nonprofit operating paycheck-to-paycheck, she is underpaid and subsidizes staff via her salary, working weekends and covering classrooms at personal cost. Approaching its 50th year since 1976, the center faces potential cuts to afterschool and AM programs due to district shortfalls and no financial cushion for emergencies like heating repairs in a 1954 building. Lenders avoid financing nonprofits amid funding cliffs and $600,000 deficits. Hoppy, personally ineligible for scholarships despite her husband's income, cannot afford summer camp for her children even with 50% reimbursement, forcing suboptimal arrangements. She advocated for dedicated revenue as a vital, if imperfect, step to sustain operations, cover rising food costs no longer subsidized by CACFP, and ensure long-term viability. As both provider and parent, she emphasized the need for scholarships to access quality care.
SB608 089: Senator David Waters, District 4 Information Only04:47:00.958 - 12:46:16 PM; Senator David Waters introduced SB 608, emphasizing the growing need for family caregiver support in New Hampshire, where 1 in 4 adults (170,000 people) provide uncompensated care valued at $2.8 billion. The bill seeks HHS permission to include caregiver services like counseling, education, training, peer support, and assessments in four HCBS waivers: Choices for Independence, Acquired Brain Disorder, Developmental Disabilities, and In-Home Support. This aligns with 26 other states and is contingent on CMS approval. For kinship caregivers (e.g., grandparents), it exempts those at retirement age from child care scholarship work requirements and eliminates cost shares for children in their care, leveraging federal CCDBG funds (50% match). It also mandates free trauma-informed training for providers. Waters noted recent Senate funding for Alzheimer's respite and appreciated advocates and HHS efforts, confirming federal matching and minimal budget impact pending fiscal note.
SB608 089: Wendy Alman, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, DHHS; Brian Clark, General Counsel Information Only04:57:00.320 - 12:56:16 PM; Wendy Alman and Brian Clark from DHHS explained SB 608's two parts. The first authorizes adding family caregiver supports to CFI and ABD waivers upon CMS approval, enabling rulemaking for eligibility, spending caps, provider qualifications, and services like counseling and respite to reduce strain, prevent crises, and sustain home-based care. This leverages federal match, with utilization estimates from other states indicating cost benefits by keeping individuals out of institutions. The second part addresses child care scholarships for kinship caregivers: adding retirement as a qualifying activity (subject to federal ACF approval to protect $16M annual funding), system changes costing $298K plus $20K staff, and eliminating cost shares (minimal impact, averaging $105 for 4 children). They confirmed long-term savings for state and counties by supporting home care.
SB608 089: Karen Hebert, Division of Economic Stability, DHHS; Brian Clark, Counsel Information Only05:03:55.360 - 1:03:11 PM; Karen Hebert and Brian Clark detailed the child care scholarship aspects of SB 608. Currently limited to families below 85% SMI with work requirements, the bill adds retirement as a qualifying activity for kinship caregivers, requiring federal ACF approval to safeguard funding. System updates would cost $298,000 plus $20,000 in staff time. Eliminating cost shares for kinship care children has negligible fiscal impact, as only four children currently qualify, with an average $105 share.
SB608 089: Jeffrey Sant, Retired Grandparent Caregiver Support05:07:50.878 - 1:07:06 PM; Jeffrey Sant, 65 and retired, shared challenges raising his grandson under guardianship, including high child care costs, availability, and retention issues. Lacking options like parental drop-offs from his youth, he expressed excitement over SB 608's recognition of kinship caregivers and urged support to ease burdens.
SB608 089: Susan Ler Support05:09:27.840 - 1:08:43 PM; Susan Ler, a 78-year-old kinship caregiver, shared her personal story of taking in her 5-month-old great-nephew TJ, now four years old. After starting daycare, the state required her or her ill 79-year-old husband to work or job search to continue funding, leading to financial and bureaucratic challenges. They faced reduced payments, demands for old records, and her unsuccessful attempt to enroll in college at 78. Now covering full daycare costs from their 401k, she emphasized the joy TJ brings and how caregiving replaced their retirement bucket list, urging support for the bill to ease such burdens.
SB608 089: Roger De. Roger, AARP New Hampshire, Concord Support05:12:28.480 - 1:11:44 PM; Roger De. Roger testified on behalf of himself and AARP New Hampshire in strong support of SB 608, highlighting its importance for family caregiver support and child care assistance for kinship caregivers. He shared his 18-year experience caring for his father starting in 2001, managing full-time work alongside medical appointments, medications, transportation, and Alzheimer's care without adequate resources, which were either unavailable or expensive.
SB608 089: Deb Cronin, Monarch Care Partners Support05:14:23.360 - 1:13:39 PM; Deb Cronin, founder of Monarch Care Partners, a dementia consulting service, spoke from personal and professional experience supporting dementia caregivers. Trained in the Positive Approach to Care program, she outlined how SB 608 could address social isolation and grief through peer support and counseling, provide dementia education and skill-building, and keep caregivers healthy and safe. She stressed the difficult journey of dementia caregiving and hoped for the bill's passage.
SB608 089: Amarie Sarin, Dover, NH, REAP Director Support05:17:12.240 - 1:16:28 PM; Amarie Sarin, a licensed clinical social worker and director of REAP (Referral Education Assistance and Prevention program) supporting older adults and caregivers, endorsed SB 608. With 21 years of experience, she discussed inadequate support leading to depression, stress, substance misuse, and high rates of suicidal ideation and at-risk drinking among caregivers. She advocated for training, education, and respite, noting how these reduce emergency visits, shorten hospital stays, and delay institutionalization. She shared a tragic case of a caregiver dying from untreated cancer due to lack of support and highlighted the shrinking ratio of caregivers to those needing care, emphasizing the system's reliance on them.
SB608 089: Amanda Carter, Kinship Navigator, River Center Family and Community Resource Center, Peterborough Support05:22:21.520 - 1:21:37 PM; Amanda Carter, a kinship navigator at the River Center in Peterborough, NH, testified in support of SB 608, drawing from daily work with kinship caregivers like grandparents and relatives who step up for children. She described helping a caregiver fund a grandchild's trip and stressed how the bill recognizes their efforts, eases child care cost shares, and focuses on prevention to strengthen families and avoid crises. Supporting caregivers is cost-effective for the state and keeps children safe and loved. She shared an example of a grandmother caring for grandchildren and a husband with Alzheimer's, denied help until violence occurred, underscoring the need for training and resources.
SB608: Megan Braybeck, Save the Children Action Network, Newmarket Support05:25:21.680 - 1:24:37 PM; Megan Braybeck briefly expressed support for SB 608, highlighting the importance of access to early education and preschool for children in families valuing such opportunities, especially for grandparents caring for grandchildren. She noted that the bill opens a significant door for these families to build social and emotional skills essential for school success.
SB608: Lily Wellington, Executive Director, State's Commission on Aging Support05:26:29.920 - 1:25:45 PM; Lily Wellington provided context on New Hampshire's aging demographics, emphasizing urgency due to the state's second-oldest median age. She highlighted the projected increase in individuals over 80 by 2030, with the caregiver ratio dropping from seven to four per person over 80. This underscores the need to preserve and support existing caregivers to meet rising care demands, describing such support as cost-effective planning for the state's future.
SB608: Judith Jones and Trina Englefinger, New Futures and New Hampshire Alliance for Healthy Aging Support05:28:55.360 - 1:28:11 PM; Judith Jones and Trina Englefinger supported SB 608 by criticizing the current childcare scholarship program's work or school requirement for retired caregivers as untenable. They noted it's the only subsidy without an age cap on work requirements, proposing the bill as a quick fix. They also endorsed adding support services like counseling, education, and peer support for caregivers, emphasizing the bill's broad approach to sustaining 280,000 caregivers in New Hampshire who contribute $28 billion annually.
SB608: Kathy Dicki, Bow Support05:31:02.958 - 1:30:18 PM; Kathy Dicki shared her personal story of raising four grandchildren aged nine, six, four, and three in Bow, having retired in 2018 after long careers. Initially caring for the oldest since infancy, they took in three younger ones in 2023 via DCF, who covered daycare costs that enabled the children to thrive with social skills, therapies, and confidence. Upon gaining legal custody, they lose eligibility due to not working (ages 71 and 74), forcing a choice between workforce return or removing kids from daycare. She urged support for SB 608 to maintain early education access, allowing grandchildren to develop fully into healthy adults.
SB615: Senator Victoria Sullivan, Sponsor Support05:39:33.520 - 1:38:49 PM; Senator Sullivan introduced SB 615 to restrict SNAP benefits from purchasing non-nutritional items like soda and candy, citing the program's original 1964 intent for nutritious diets amid rising obesity (40% in SNAP recipients vs. 32% in non-participants). She referenced studies showing sugary drinks comprise 10% of SNAP spending, contribute to diabetes and health issues, and cost taxpayers via Medicaid. The bill protects the budget from 2028 federal penalties for high error rates (NH at 7.5%, risking $8M annually) and promotes nutritional use without affecting personal purchases. Implementation is feasible by 2027, as 18 states proceed, with minimal retailer costs due to adaptable point-of-sale systems. She refuted myths like denying birthday cakes, emphasizing health benefits outweigh costs.
SB615: Dr. Christine Arseno Oppose05:55:37.680 - 1:54:53 PM; Dr. Arseno, a board-certified pediatrician and obesity medicine specialist, opposes SB 615. She agrees with prioritizing whole foods for children but argues that restricting SNAP access harms low-income families. She highlights stigma from public restrictions at checkout, the gray area in defining healthy vs. unhealthy foods (e.g., diet soda), and the burden on small grocers who might stop accepting SNAP. She advocates for education and support instead of restrictions to ensure food access for children.
SB615: Heidi Johnson, New Hampshire Food Bank Oppose05:58:42.320 - 1:57:58 PM; Heidi Johnson, SNAP outreach coordinator at the New Hampshire Food Bank, opposes SB 615. As the state's only food bank, they distributed 20 million pounds of food in 2025 but still face a meal gap affecting 1 in 9 Granite Staters and 1 in 7 children. Food insecurity means limited access to nutritious food. During the federal shutdown, they assisted families cutting meals or using DoorDash. The Food Bank promotes nutrition through SNAP applications, cooking classes, summer meals, and produce incentives. However, SB 615's restrictions on soda/candy could reduce participation, ignore barriers, harm small retailers, and roll back income limits from 200% to 130% of poverty level, worsening insecurity.
SB615: Karen Heaper and Brian Clark, Division of Economic Stability Information Only06:02:08.400 - 2:01:24 PM; Karen Heaper, Director, and Brian Clark, Counsel, from the Division of Economic Stability provide information on SB 615's impacts. Implementing a healthy choice waiver for soda/candy bans would cost $1.4 million initially for EBT changes and $540,000 ongoing for retailer support. Federal adoption would eliminate state costs. Changes to ABOD work requirements eliminate discretionary exemptions, potentially increasing error rates, and prohibit unemployment-based waivers without clear legislative approval definition. Repealing categorical eligibility affects 7,000 families/15,000 individuals and 873 in a nutritional program, risking TANF MOE and penalties. Data sharing requirements are mostly duplicative but some conflict with federal rules or are impractical (e.g., monthly SAVE checks, HUD cross-match). Out-of-state purchase monitoring lacks nuance for border cases or disabilities. They estimate 5 FTEs needed and potential error rate increases from manual work. They commit to providing written details on current practices vs. bill requirements, federal mandates, fraud stats, and SNAP budget.
SB615: Francesca Hennessy, DHS Fraud, Rates, and Abuse Administrator Information Only06:19:40.638 - 2:18:56 PM; Francesca Hennessy provides fraud statistics for SNAP. Last year, SNAP claims totaled $286,000 in overpayments proven fraudulent, part of $319,000 across programs. There were 28 SNAP disqualifications with $174,000 in claims. The bill focuses more on retailer fraud (federal jurisdiction) than recipient fraud, which her unit handles. She offers further breakdown in writing.
SB615: Sheruk Kota, Bedford High School student Oppose06:25:29.360 - 2:24:45 PM; Sheruk Kota, a junior at Bedford High School, opposes SB 615, concerned about its impact on Bedford's community. Despite perceptions of affluence, nearly 500 residents live below poverty, 300 use SNAP, and 160 students rely on free/reduced meals. School lunch is often their most reliable meal, aiding focus in class. The bill's restrictions could complicate eligibility, reduce grocer acceptance of SNAP, hurt the local economy, and exacerbate food insecurity amid rising costs. It adds hurdles without solving problems; she urges opposition to support struggling families.
SB615: Amanda Carter Oppose06:29:18.240 - 2:28:34 PM; Amanda Carter, who helps people apply for SNAP, opposes SB 615. She assists working parents, caregivers, and seniors navigating a confusing, underfunded system with outsourced call centers eroding trust. The bill adds rules, scrutiny, and paperwork amid structural failures, misunderstanding poverty's unpredictability. She shares a personal story of relying on nearby food during her son's ICU stay at Shriners in Boston, which could be flagged suspiciously. Ending categorical eligibility and policing purchases won't reduce fraud meaningfully but will push families off aid via errors, increase costs, overwhelm staff, and create hunger gaps for vulnerable groups. She calls it cruelty, urging a no vote to protect rather than punish.
SB615: Kevin Dagel, President, New Hampshire Grocers Association Oppose06:32:33.680 - 2:31:49 PM; Kevin Dagel testified in opposition to SB 615, highlighting the costly compliance burdens for retailers, including software changes, upgrades, and employee retraining estimated in thousands of dollars, particularly challenging for small independent grocers. He noted that compliance is ongoing with new products, potentially leading retailers to stop accepting SNAP, creating food deserts. He discussed border sales issues where New Hampshire SNAP benefits could be used out-of-state for restricted items, causing economic losses. Dagel addressed questions on obesity rates, lack of definitions for restricted products like candy, POS system capabilities, error rates, and costs passed to consumers, emphasizing manpower needs and patchwork state regulations.
SB615: Megan Braybeck, Save the Children Action Network, New Market Oppose06:47:33.120 - 2:46:49 PM; Megan Braybeck opposed the bill, stating it would make it harder for kids and families to access needed food through stricter work requirements, eliminating categorical eligibility, and limiting DHS discretion, especially for families facing temporary hardships like illness or job loss. She argued this would not improve child nutrition and suggested supporting other programs for better nutritional outcomes, offering to discuss alternatives with New Hampshire Hunger Solutions.
SB615: Sam Hawkins, NAMI New Hampshire Oppose06:49:38.320 - 2:48:54 PM; Sam Hawkins opposed SB 615, emphasizing food security's role in mental health. He cited USDA research showing adults with mental health disabilities are five times more likely to be food insecure and that SNAP reduces psychological distress, aiding recovery. He urged recommending inexpedient to legislate to promote access and dignity for families.
SB615: Victoria Gulla, Spokaneford, NH Support06:51:22.878 - 2:50:38 PM; Victoria Gulla supported the bill, criticizing opposition and advocating for eliminating carbohydrates, focusing on meat, dairy, and seafood for health. She argued the bill doesn't go far enough to protect taxpayers and prevent illness from 'toxic poisons' like junk food. She highlighted costs of obesity, diabetes, mental health issues, and school disruptions from sugary foods, suggesting a carnivore diet heals metabolic and mental illnesses, reducing state burdens like Medicaid and prisons.
SB615: Peter Brennan, Executive Director, New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association Oppose06:55:54.638 - 2:55:10 PM; Peter Brennan opposed SB 615, noting 85% of New Hampshire convenience stores are near borders, where EBT cards work across states. With 75,000 SNAP users in NH versus millions in bordering states, restrictions could reduce cross-border shopping, causing net losses. He discussed compliance burdens, citing Oklahoma's 18,000 prohibited products list, and risks to rural stores losing SNAP eligibility, limiting food access. He suggested incentives over bans might be more favorable.
SB615: Carrie Duran, Legislative Liaison, Lakes Region Community Services, Wolfborough, NH Oppose07:01:31.440 - 3:00:47 PM; As a single mom of a child with Down syndrome, Carrie Duran shared using EBT out-of-state for necessities during Boston medical trips, urging consideration of such needs. She highlighted unintended consequences of eliminating categorical eligibility, increasing administrative burdens for low-income families with disabilities, potentially denying SNAP benefits and food security.
SB615: Judith Jones, New Futures and New Hampshire Alliance for Healthy Aging Oppose07:04:46.558 - 3:04:02 PM; Judith Jones discussed impacts on older adults from listening sessions, where SNAP users prioritize medications or car repairs over food, using benefits to fight cancer, celiac disease, and diabetes. She noted current difficulties in accessing SNAP and opposed added burdens like eliminating categorical eligibility, which could increase administrative costs with diminished returns. She questioned effectiveness of food restrictions and suggested they add harm without improving health.
SB615: Laura Milikin and Riona Cor, New Hampshire Hunger Solutions Oppose07:08:34.718 - 3:07:50 PM; Laura Milikin and Riona Cor strongly opposed SB 615, arguing it weakens the food safety net by adding complexity, increasing error rates, and shifting 25% administrative costs to the state, potentially costing millions. Removing categorical eligibility creates benefit cliffs for working poor and older adults, disincentivizing work and affecting school meals. They noted border town realities, ineffectiveness of restrictions, and recommended SNAP incentives like Granite State Market Match for healthier outcomes. They clarified error rates, noting NH's 7.57% includes top underpayments, and ripple effects on free school meals.
SB615: Raymond Burke Information Only07:13:36.878 - 3:12:52 PM; Continued discussion on SNAP error rates, clarifying that errors include underpayments due to miscalculations like utility allowances, not fraud. Emphasized need for staffing and training at DHS. Mentioned programs like Double Up Food Bucks and nutritional expertise, noting BMI limitations as a health indicator. Provided info on costs for retailers to implement SNAP restrictions ($1,000-$8,000).
SB615: Raymond Burke, New Hampshire Legal Assistance Oppose07:17:06.080 - 3:16:22 PM; Opposes SB 615, focusing on payment error rates caused by complex calculations like utility allowances leading to underpayments. Argues the bill doesn't address root causes of errors (utility deductions, income reporting, certification periods) and could increase errors by removing categorical eligibility, which streamlines processes and reduces manual verification. Notes it would affect 7,000 households including 6,000 children, creating benefit cliffs for working families. Categorical eligibility doesn't flood rolls and benefits low-resource households.
SB615: Tim Paglesi, FGA Action Support07:25:19.920 - 3:24:35 PM; Supports SB 615 to promote self-sufficiency. Explains broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) uses non-monetary TANF benefits like a welfare brochure to waive asset tests and raise income limits to 200% FPL, leading to higher error rates (3x more per GAO reports) and ineligible enrollees with high assets (1 in 5 nationally over $100,000 liquid). Clarifies federal asset limits exclude essentials like primary homes/vehicles. On soda/candy waiver, questions using taxpayer funds for unhealthy items linked to chronic diseases versus nutritious foods. Notes low compliance issues in states like Indiana due to grace periods and retailer support.
SB615: Jane Goodman, NH Soup Kitchen and Shelter Oppose07:32:31.920 - 3:31:47 PM; Opposes SB 615 as executive director of NH Soup Kitchen and Shelter, serving meals and pantry services for 45 years. Reports 32% increase in breakfasts, 9% in dinners, 12% in pantry visits from FY24 to FY25 among working families, seniors, homeless. Bill's eligibility reductions and hurdles would cause hundreds in Nashville region, including children/older adults, to lose SNAP access, straining emergency programs. Recalls 2025 shutdown spike in demand; SNAP provides 9 meals per 1 from pantries. Removing categorical eligibility pushes out working families/seniors/disabled, increases admin costs, worsens hunger, burdens DHS, hurts economy. Urges vote no.
SB615: Emily Lawrence, Waypoint Oppose07:37:39.760 - 3:36:55 PM; Opposes SB 615 as advocacy director at Waypoint, serving 12,000+ children/youth/families statewide for 175 years via counseling, in-home services, disability/aging programs, homeless youth support, family resource centers. Focuses on child impacts: bill adds admin burdens to overburdened DHS, causing delays/gaps in benefits leading to food insecurity, family stress, child welfare involvement, health issues. Without reliable SNAP, children face adverse health/well-being effects, straining systems.

Rochefort, David(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Avard, Kevin(V Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Birdsell, Regina(R)[B-]2025
Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025	Long, Pat(D)[F]2025