Governor Hassan's Statement on Signing Bill to Continue Streamlining Access to Substance Use Treatment

Statement

Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement after today signing Senate Bill 532, relative to prior authorization for substance use treatment:

"As the heroin and opioid crisis continues to devastate families and communities across the state, we must ensure that people can access the treatment and care that they need. By removing certain prior authorizations for patients in crisis to access inpatient services, Senate Bill 532 builds on efforts taken earlier this year that streamlined access to treatment for outpatient substance misuse treatment services. This bill plays an important role in streamlining insurance regulations for accessing inpatient substance misuse treatment services, and I am proud to sign this bipartisan measure into law.

"To further help patients access treatment, the New Hampshire Department of Insurance is continuing to review state-regulated insurance companies compliance with regulations that require parity for substance abuse and mental health treatment, and is hiring an outreach coordinator to work with providers and communities to help them better understand how to access treatment."

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