Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands Medicaid eligibility.

Highlights:

• Expands access to health coverage for the currently uninsured and underinsured populations in New Hampshire, by relying on private models of care (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes a Health Benefit Marketplace in New Hampshire that has the functional capacity necessary to implement the provisions of this bill, including the sale of qualified health plans to individuals and employers after January 1, 2016 (Sec. 8). 

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to implement a premium assistance program for newly eligible individuals between 100 and 133 percent of the federal poverty level and who do not have access to cost effective “employer-sponsored insurance”, beginning January 1, 2017 (Sec. 2).

• Defines “employer-sponsored insurance” (ESI) as group health coverage offered through a private employer to his or her employees (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes newly eligible individuals who have access to private ESI to remain eligible for premium payments for the continued purchase of the insurance through the employer (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes newly eligible individuals who are unable to obtain or qualify for ESI to choose a private managed care organization that has contracted with the Department of Health and Human Services to receive health benefits (Sec. 2).

• Requires newly eligible individuals who have access to ESI to participate in the health insurance premium program, if the program is deemed cost-effective by the Department of Health and Human Services (Sec. 2).

• Defines “health insurance premium program” (HIPP) as the program established by the Department of Health and Human Services for assistance with premium payments for employer-sponsored group health care coverage (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to pay the cost of premiums, co-payments, co-insurance and deductibles for newly eligible individuals with access to ESI if the coverage is deemed cost-effective (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text