HB 1760-FN-A - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2441
05/08
HOUSE BILL 1760-FN-A
SPONSORS: Rep. Telerski, Hills. 11; Rep. Simpson, Rock. 33; Rep. Preece, Hills. 17; Rep. Weber, Ches. 5; Rep. Wallner, Merr. 19; Rep. Lloyd, Hills. 8; Rep. Wilhelm, Hills. 21; Rep. Schultz, Merr. 29; Rep. Vail, Hills. 6; Rep. Stringham, Graf. 3; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill repeals requirements in 2025, 141 (HB 2) that the department of health and human services file a Medicaid state plan amendment to increase prescription drug copayments. The bill also repeals requirements that the department of health and human services file a Medicaid waiver and state plan amendment, if necessary, to institute premiums under the New Hampshire advantage health care program and the children's health insurance program. The bill makes an appropriation to the department of health and human services to compensate for any shortfall for such 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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2441
05/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Short Title. This act shall be known as "The Protecting Access to Affordable Health Care for Working Families Act".
2 Appropriation; Department of Health and Human Services; State Medicaid Program. The sum necessary to compensate the department of health and human services for the reduction in funding for the state Medicaid program resulting from repeal of the pharmacy copayment and health care premium requirements pursuant to section 3 of this act is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3 Repeal. The following are repealed:
I. 2025, 141:65, relative to pharmacy copayments under the state Medicaid plan.
II. RSA 126-AA:2-a, relative to premiums under the New Hampshire granite advantage health care program.
III. RSA 126-A:3, IX, relative to premiums under the children's health insurance program.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
26-2441
Revised 02/18/2026
HB 1760-FN-A- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | |||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | |
Revenue | $0 | ($16.75 million) | ($16.75 million) | ($16.75 million) | |
Revenue Fund(s) | Granite Advantage, CHIP, and standard Medicaid premium and/or copay revenue deposited into the Granite Advantage trust fund and state general fund. | ||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Funding Source(s) | None | ||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $16.75 million | $0 | $0 | |
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | ||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | |||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill repeals premium requirements for the Granite Advantage and Children's Health Insurance Programs, as well as pharmacy copayments under the State Medicaid Plan. In addition, the bill makes a general fund appropriation in FY27 of the amount necessary to fill the resulting revenue shortfall. The premiums were established in HB 2 from 2025 (the budget trailer bill), and were anticipated to generate a combined $16 million in revenue in FY27 and subsequent years. (Granite Advantage premiums were expected to raise $5 million per year, while CHIP premiums were expected to raise $11 million per year.) The copayments were likewise established in the budget trailer bill, and were expected to generate $750,000 per year. The bill is therefore expected to result in a general fund appropriation of $16.75 million in FY27.
It should be noted that, per RSA 126-AA:3, the Granite Advantage trust fund is prohibited from accepting state general funds. For this reason, although the Department of Health and Human Services could accept the $5 million general fund appropriation attributable to the loss in Granite Advantage premiums, it will not be able to spend those funds on the program itself. Instead, any shortfall in funding will be covered via an automatic transfer of Liquor funds pursuant to RSA 126-AA:3, VI. If interpreted strictly as drafted, therefore, the bill may inadvertently result in both a $5 million appropriation and a $5 million transfer of Liquor funds taking place in FY27.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Health and Human Services
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 18, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| March 4, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| March 4, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
| March 11, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
| March 12, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
March 13, 2026: Inexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 184-153 03/12/2026 HJ 8
March 12, 2026: Special Order to next order of business (Rep. Weber): MA DV 304-40 03/12/2026 HJ 8
March 12, 2026: Special Order to next order of business (Rep. Telerski): MF DV 148-181 03/11/2026 HJ 7
March 4, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
March 4, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/04/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 90
Feb. 27, 2026: Executive Session: 03/04/2026 09:00 am GP 158
Feb. 11, 2026: Public Hearing: 02/18/2026 09:00 am GP 158
Dec. 17, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 34