274:1 Findings. The general court finds that during 2023 meetings, the committee to study non-pharmacological treatment options for patients with chronic pain established that a patient-centric, integrated model of care is a credible and practical foundation upon which to build a pilot program. The committee recommends continuation of its work for another year to explore how to create an innovative method of payment necessary to support this new model.

274:2 Committee Established; Non-pharmacological Treatment Options for Chronic Pain.

I. There is established a committee to study non-pharmacological treatment options to treat patients with chronic pain and the creation of a pilot program that supports and encourages non-pharmacological treatment options.

II The members of the committee shall consist of:

(a) Five members of the house of representatives, 2 of whom shall be from the house health, human services, and elderly affairs committee, one from the house commerce committee, and 2 at large, all appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

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

III. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee. The committee's study shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) Design of a pilot program with goals that are patient-centric, provider-friendly, that uses existing provider networks, establishes standard reimbursement rates, and maximizes patient self-referrals with no or minimal cost increases.

(b) Research the creation of such a pilot program with the New Hampshire Medicaid program, the New Hampshire state employee self-funded health insurance program, or with other entities supported with state funds.

(c) Investigate overall cost of such a program, including eligibility status for National Institutes of Health-National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health supported grants or funding opportunities.

(d) Research ways to enhance awareness of non-pharmacological treatment options through educational programs for primary care providers to enhance collaboration and integration of care between all providers who collectively assist in treating chronic pain.

(e) Design a process to collect usable, meaningful data over 3 to 5 years to evaluate meeting the goals of the program design, specifically whether the pilot program helps patients to reduce pain while safely improving functional outcomes and quality of care for patients with chronic pain, and to increase use of non-pharmacological treatments options, while maintaining affordability by constraining cost or with minimal increases in overall costs to treat chronic pain.

IV. The committee may solicit input from any person or entity the committee deems relevant to its study.

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

VI. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, on or before November 1, 2024, the committee shall submit an interim report including its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, and the governor. The committee shall submit a final report of its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the same on or before November 1, 2025.

274:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: July 26, 2024

Effective Date: July 26, 2024

274:1 Findings. The general court finds that during 2023 meetings, the committee to study non-pharmacological treatment options for patients with chronic pain established that a patient-centric, integrated model of care is a credible and practical foundation upon which to build a pilot program. The committee recommends continuation of its work for another year to explore how to create an innovative method of payment necessary to support this new model.

274:2 Committee Established; Non-pharmacological Treatment Options for Chronic Pain.

I. There is established a committee to study non-pharmacological treatment options to treat patients with chronic pain and the creation of a pilot program that supports and encourages non-pharmacological treatment options.

II The members of the committee shall consist of:

(a) Five members of the house of representatives, 2 of whom shall be from the house health, human services, and elderly affairs committee, one from the house commerce committee, and 2 at large, all appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

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

III. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee. The committee's study shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) Design of a pilot program with goals that are patient-centric, provider-friendly, that uses existing provider networks, establishes standard reimbursement rates, and maximizes patient self-referrals with no or minimal cost increases.

(b) Research the creation of such a pilot program with the New Hampshire Medicaid program, the New Hampshire state employee self-funded health insurance program, or with other entities supported with state funds.

(c) Investigate overall cost of such a program, including eligibility status for National Institutes of Health-National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health supported grants or funding opportunities.

(d) Research ways to enhance awareness of non-pharmacological treatment options through educational programs for primary care providers to enhance collaboration and integration of care between all providers who collectively assist in treating chronic pain.

(e) Design a process to collect usable, meaningful data over 3 to 5 years to evaluate meeting the goals of the program design, specifically whether the pilot program helps patients to reduce pain while safely improving functional outcomes and quality of care for patients with chronic pain, and to increase use of non-pharmacological treatments options, while maintaining affordability by constraining cost or with minimal increases in overall costs to treat chronic pain.

IV. The committee may solicit input from any person or entity the committee deems relevant to its study.

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

VI. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, on or before November 1, 2024, the committee shall submit an interim report including its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, and the governor. The committee shall submit a final report of its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the same on or before November 1, 2025.

274:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: July 26, 2024

Effective Date: July 26, 2024