Revision: Jan. 28, 2026, 9:50 a.m.
HB 1747-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-3137
07/06
HOUSE BILL 1747-FN
AN ACT relative to treatment of perinatal mental health conditions.
SPONSORS: Rep. Beauchemin, Hills. 3; Rep. Colby, Merr. 9; Rep. Jacobs, Ches. 15; Rep. Lucas, Graf. 7; Rep. Mandelbaum, Rock. 21; Rep. Tellez, Hills. 40; Rep. Weinstein, Rock. 10
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires the department of health and human services and the insurance department to develop and operate a series of perinatal mental health-related programs.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-3137
07/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to treatment of perinatal mental health conditions.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Insurance Department; Mental Health Screening Reimbursement. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the insurance department shall establish a program to reimburse eligible, pregnant medicaid recipients for one mental health screening during each trimester of their pregnancy. The insurance department shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, regarding the creation, administration, and oversight of the program.
2 Insurance Department; Patient Screening Reimbursement. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the insurance department shall establish a program to reimburse eligible physicians or other qualified health care providers for time spent advising patients about resources and next steps upon diagnosing a patient with a perinatal mental health condition. The insurance department shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, regarding the creation, administration, and oversight of the program.
3 Department of Health and Human Services; Perinatal Mental Health Programs.
I. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the department of health and human services shall establish:
(a) An outreach program to provide education to providers of perinatal mental health therapy and those with prescribing authority.
(b) An incentive program to provide loan reimbursements for providers of perinatal mental health therapy and persons with prescribing authority who become certified in perinatal mental health therapy through a reputable and vetted organization.
II. The department shall provide financial reimbursement for participating providers for the outreach program under subparagraph (a) or the incentive program under subparagraph (b) in exchange for documented certification of 2 continuous years of employment as a perinatal mental health therapy provider.
4 Insurance Department; Medicaid Reimbursement Rates. The insurance department shall conduct a review of current Medicaid reimbursement rates for therapy and prescribed psychiatric medications. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the department shall determine and offer higher rates of reimbursement for providers who are certified in perinatal mental health through a reputable and vetted organization.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-3137
Revised 1/28/26
HB 1747-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to treatment of perinatal mental health conditions.
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill directs the Departments of Insurance and Health and Human Services to establish programs and review rates relative to treatment of perinatal mental health conditions. The Insurance Department notes that it lacks authority to carry out certain mandates contained in the bill. In particular, the bill requires the Department to review Medicaid reimbursement rates for therapy and prescribed psychiatric medications. As the Medicaid program is overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Insurance Department lacks regulatory authority over the Medicaid rate setting process. In addition, the bill requires the Insurance Department to establish a program to reimburse eligible, pregnant Medicaid recipients for one mental health screening per trimester. The link to the Medicaid program makes it unclear whether such a program would be better operated by the Department of Health and Human Services.
The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish outreach and incentive programs relative to perinatal mental health programs. DHHS anticipates an increase in state expenditures to implement the outreach program. The program would provide education to providers of perinatal mental health therapy and those with prescribing authority. The Department estimates annual costs of $150,000-$200,000, depending on the scope and delivery method of outreach. These costs include staffing, program development, and potential travel or event-related expenses. The bill does not define the scope or delivery method of the outreach program (e.g., in-person vs. virtual), nor does it specify whether participation is mandatory or voluntary. DHHS notes that clarifying these elements could help refine cost estimates and implementation planning.
In addition, DHHS anticipates an increase in state expenditures to implement the loan reimbursement incentive program for providers certified in perinatal mental health therapy under section 3, subparagraph I(b) of the bill. This program would offer loan repayment to eligible behavioral health and prescribing professionals after two years of continuous service, modeled after the existing State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Loan repayment amounts under the SLRP are based on a tiered system (Tier 1 - $75,000 for minimum service obligation of 36 months, Tier 2 - $45,000 for a minimum service obligation of 36 months, Tier 3 - $30,000 for a minimum service obligation of 36 months). The bill does not appropriate funds or identify the number of loans to be provided. Should the program go into effect, the Department expects to need a new compliance officer one to manage it, at a cost of $80,000 in FY27, $99,000 in FY28, and $103,000 in FY29.
This revised fiscal note assumes that any cost will be paid for exclusively with state general funds.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Departments of Insurance and Health and Human Services