GST OPPOSES SB128 AS IT IS OR INCLUDED IN HB2, THE NH BUDGET.
This bill relates to children’s mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger. This bill establishes the New Hampshire children’s behavioral health association.
GST has reviewed SB128 and all the testimony regarding it
SB128 will increase costs for everyone with health insurance premiums, because everyone‚ with commercial health insurance or other insurance instruments will be assessed a fee [hidden tax] to pay for this mental health program. Those from the insurance industry testified that premiums would go up.
The NH Insurance Department testified that the resulting increase in premiums will result in many policyholders, especially those of modest means, having to pick lesser plans to be able to have at least some health insurance coverage.
This type of major policy initiative needs to be heard in the appropriate House Committees. The Senate did not want to send this over to the House for scrutiny, because both the Senate HHS Committee and Finance Committee voted this bill out on a unanimous basis, but then on the Senate Floor it got tabled. There is no question this is intended to be placed in HB2, the NH Budget bill.
GST opposes SB128 as it stands or it being placed in HB2 since this is an annual 2.5 million tax on all commercial insurance premium holders, most of which will never gain any benefit from the program it will be funding.
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Tell them to Oppose SB128 and Oppose Including it into HB2
Pat Abrami, GST Vice Chairman