Bill > SB129

This bill establishes an uncompensated health care fund in New Hampshire to support safety net health care providers by collecting a surcharge from commercial insurers, reinsurers, and self-insured health plans. The fund will be administered by the Department of Insurance and will help cover the costs of medically necessary care provided to uninsured individuals. An advisory committee comprising representatives from health insurance carriers, community health centers, mental health centers, substance use disorder providers, legislators, and public members will help determine the annual assessment levels and allocation formulas. The assessment will be calculated on a per-member, per-month basis and cannot be passed on to individuals or employers through premium increases. Eligible non-profit providers can apply for funds to offset operating losses, bad debt write-offs, and care write-offs related to inadequate commercial benefits. The program is set to begin on January 1, 2026, with the Department of Insurance collecting quarterly assessments and distributing funds to providers after two consecutive quarters of collection. The bill aims to address uncompensated care costs and support the financial stability of safety net health care providers in New Hampshire.