This bill amends RSA 141-C:1-a to prohibit state Medicaid payments to healthcare providers that discriminate against employees, students, or trainees for exercising lawful medical or religious vaccine exemptions. Specifically, it introduces a new paragraph (IV) that states no healthcare provider shall discharge, threaten, or discriminate against individuals regarding their employment terms due to their valid vaccine exemptions. If the Department of Health and Human Services finds a provider in violation of this provision, it is mandated to withhold Medicaid reimbursements and may suspend or terminate the provider from the state Medicaid program.

The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and does not allocate new funding or positions. However, it anticipates administrative costs associated with investigating discrimination complaints, estimating the need for a new compliance officer at a cost of $46,000 in FY27, $95,000 in FY28, and $98,000 in FY29. Additionally, there may be an indeterminable decrease in Medicaid expenditures if discrimination is confirmed against a provider. The funding for Medicaid is derived from both general and federal funds, which will be affected by the implementation of this bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 141-C:1-a
HB1671 text: 141-C:1-a