1 Statement of Intent. The general court recognizes that many residents of New Hampshire remain uninsured or underinsured and that health care costs continue to rise. Therefore, the general court hereby establishes a commission to study a public option program in New Hampshire which would make health care insurance more affordable to the residents of New Hampshire.

2 New Subdivision; Commission to Study a Public Option Program for New Hampshire. Amend RSA 126-A by inserting after section 72 the following new subdivision:

Commission to Study a Public Option Program for New Hampshire

126-A:73 Commission to Study a Public Option Program for New Hampshire Established.

I. There is established a commission to study developing a public option program for New Hampshire.

(a) The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(1) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(2) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(3) The insurance commissioner, or designee.

(4) The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.

(5) Two public members, appointed by the governor.

(6) A representative of the New Hampshire Hospital Association, appointed by the association.

(7) A representative of the New Hampshire Medical Society, appointed by the society.

(8) One member representing the private health insurance industry, appointed by the governor.

(9) A representative of the New Hampshire chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program, appointed by such chapter.

(b) Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

II.(a) The commission shall study developing a public option program for New Hampshire. The commission's study shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) How a public option program would be financed.

(2) Reimbursement to primary care providers, hospitals, and other medical providers.

(3) Consideration as to whether a global payment system should be implemented.

(4) Incentives for increasing provider participation in a public option program.

(5) Issues regarding quality of care under such a program.

(6) Any other issues the commission deems relevant to its study.

(b) The commission may solicit information and input from any source the commission deems relevant to its study.

III. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Seven members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

IV. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2017.

3 Repeal. RSA 126-A:73, relative to a commission to study a public option program for New Hampshire, is repealed.

4 Effective Date.

I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2017.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.

1 Statement of Intent. The general court recognizes that many residents of New Hampshire remain uninsured or underinsured and that health care costs continue to rise. Therefore, the general court hereby establishes a commission to study a public option program in New Hampshire which would make health care insurance more affordable to the residents of New Hampshire.

2 New Subdivision; Commission to Study a Public Option Program for New Hampshire. Amend RSA 126-A by inserting after section 72 the following new subdivision:

Commission to Study a Public Option Program for New Hampshire

126-A:73 Commission to Study a Public Option Program for New Hampshire Established.

I. There is established a commission to study developing a public option program for New Hampshire.

(a) The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(1) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(2) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(3) The insurance commissioner, or designee.

(4) The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.

(5) Two public members, appointed by the governor.

(6) A representative of the New Hampshire Hospital Association, appointed by the association.

(7) A representative of the New Hampshire Medical Society, appointed by the society.

(8) One member representing the private health insurance industry, appointed by the governor.

(9) A representative of the New Hampshire chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program, appointed by such chapter.

(b) Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

II.(a) The commission shall study developing a public option program for New Hampshire. The commission's study shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) How a public option program would be financed.

(2) Reimbursement to primary care providers, hospitals, and other medical providers.

(3) Consideration as to whether a global payment system should be implemented.

(4) Incentives for increasing provider participation in a public option program.

(5) Issues regarding quality of care under such a program.

(6) Any other issues the commission deems relevant to its study.

(b) The commission may solicit information and input from any source the commission deems relevant to its study.

III. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Seven members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

IV. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2017.

3 Repeal. RSA 126-A:73, relative to a commission to study a public option program for New Hampshire, is repealed.

4 Effective Date.

I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2017.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.