April 26
Earlier today, the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee unfortunately voted along party lines to recommend defeating SB 85, a bill that would require insurance companies to cover behavioral health crisis services without preauthorization. The bill is expected to head to the House floor next week.
SB 85 received strong bipartisan support in the Senate earlier this session, so this committee recommendation was an unexpected blow for this critical legislation. We cannot allow this setback to become a permanent barrier to care for those who need it most – email your state representative to urge them to overturn the Committee’s “Inexpedient to Legislate” recommendation and pass this critical legislation using our easy action form.
Currently, children and adults who go to emergency departments for behavioral health crises may have to wait for preauthorization from their insurance carrier before they are transferred to a more appropriate setting for treatment. Waiting in the emergency department is costly, ineffective for treatment, and ties up valuable space for people who need emergency medical services.
This bill would also create a study commission to determine the best sustainable funding source for behavioral health crisis services in New Hampshire.
Will you contact your state representative to urge them to pass SB 85?
Thank you for your efforts!
Sincerely,
Emma Sevigny
Children’s Behavioral Health Policy Coordinator
New Futures
100 N. Main Street
4th Floor
Concord, NH 03301
