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The public hearing on HB 1231, which mandates healthcare providers to disclose medical services to patients' insurance carriers, began with Representative Wayne McDonald introducing the bill on behalf of Representative Ron Dunn. McDonald noted his limited involvement and welcomed testimony from others. Janet Hudala, a Londonderry resident with a healthcare background, testified about her struggles with medical billing transparency. She emphasized the need for patients to access detailed billing records to manage expenses and expressed frustration with receiving only summary statements from her insurance provider and Medicare. Christian Ramsey from the New Hampshire Hospital Association opposed the bill, stating that much of the required information is already provided through Explanation of Benefits (EOB) documents. He highlighted operational challenges, including the need for hospitals to reprogram billing systems and potential increases in administrative costs. Committee members discussed existing RSA 151-12-A, which mandates itemized bills upon request, and explored whether patients were receiving the necessary information. They suggested that patients approach hospital administration for assistance. The hearing concluded with a commitment to revisit the issue in September, encouraging individuals to report their experiences with obtaining billing information. The committee then discussed House Bill 1347, which prohibits healthcare facilities from refusing referrals from independent primary care providers if the facility accepts the patient's insurance. Representative John Petusik introduced the bill, emphasizing patient access to specialty care without switching primary care providers. Alexandra Sosnowski from the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office supported the bill but suggested aligning penalties with the Consumer Protection Act. Representative Trinidad Attey, the bill's prime sponsor, highlighted issues with large health systems restricting access to specialty care. He proposed creating a study committee to explore the issue further. Ben Bradley from the New Hampshire Hospital Association opposed the bill, citing concerns about longer wait times and the targeting of licensed healthcare facilities rather than providers. Kathy Stratton from the New Hampshire Medical Society supported the bill, stating it would ensure equitable access to specialty care. Kate Horgan from the New Hampshire Association of Counties raised concerns about the bill's impact on county nursing homes. The meeting also covered House Bill 1813, which aims to protect patients from disruptions in care due to mid-year changes by insurance carriers. Representative Julie Miles emphasized the need for transparency in contract changes and proposed limiting changes to a quarterly schedule. Concerns were raised about the practicality of requiring good faith estimates for significant changes. Michelle Heem from the New Hampshire Insurance Department noted that while the department ensures consumer protections, limiting changes could hinder carriers' efficiency. Nick Velas, a healthcare provider, opposed the bill, arguing it could deter health plans from guiding patients to lower-cost providers. The discussion highlighted the complexities of healthcare pricing and the need for consumer protections, with some members expressing confusion about the bill's implications. The meeting also addressed House Bill 1638, aimed at reforming step therapy protocols in health insurance. The bill seeks to create a bypass mechanism for patients needing specific medications without undergoing a "fail first" policy. The prime sponsor emphasized the need for further work on the legislation, supported by organizations like the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Nancy Biederman from the Rare Disease Advisory Council shared her advocacy experiences, highlighting challenges patients face with insurance denials for necessary medications. The meeting concluded with a call for further discussion on the proposed bills. A parent shared a personal story about their daughter facing challenges with step therapy, emphasizing the emotional and financial toll. Angelica Katz from Susan G. Komen supported the bill, criticizing step therapy for creating barriers to timely treatments. Michelle Heaton from the New Hampshire Insurance Department expressed neutrality towards the bill but noted existing laws cover many provisions. Sabrina Dunlap from Anthem opposed the bill, arguing it could eliminate step therapy. The meeting also discussed House Bill 1406, which aims to prevent insurers from using AI to override clinical decisions. Concerns were raised about AI's role in claims processing and the need for human oversight. Participants emphasized that clinical decisions should remain with qualified professionals. The meeting concluded with discussions on House Bill 1554, which seeks to improve the peer-to-peer review process in prior authorizations. Representative Julie Miles introduced the bill, aiming to ensure treating clinicians can communicate directly with insurance peers. Some opponents argued that peer-to-peer review is already established in statute. The conversation highlighted the need for timely communication between treating physicians and insurance plan doctors. The meeting also addressed House Bill 1656, proposing a benefit mandate for pelvic floor therapy, which faced opposition due to existing coverage. The session concluded with the acknowledgment that all bills had been heard.