NH
New Hampshire Senate Bill SB319

New Hampshire 2022 Regular Session

New Hampshire Senate Bill SB319

Introduced
12/14/21  
Refer
12/14/21  
Report Pass
1/27/22  
Report Pass
2/9/22  
Engrossed
3/23/22  
Refer
3/23/22  
Report DNP
4/28/22  

Caption

Relative to vaccination status and wellness incentives.

Impact

The introduction of SB319 aims to create a more proactive approach in promoting vaccinations as a public health strategy. While the bill initially seeks to incentivize vaccinations through financial rewards, it also makes provision for the repeal of this requirement in the year 2023. The fiscal implications of this bill are somewhat complex, as it may affect the premium rates of health insurance plans if health carriers adjust their pricing based on the demand for vaccination incentives. Additionally, the financial incentives are not classified as rebates, thus impacting loss ratio calculations in insurance terms.

Summary

Senate Bill 319 (SB319) is an act that addresses the relationship between health coverage and vaccination status, specifically targeting incentives for individuals who provide evidence of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The bill mandates that health carriers may offer financial incentives to insured individuals at the time of enrollment, provided they can demonstrate their vaccination status. This measure is intended to encourage vaccination among the populace by tying health benefits to vaccine compliance.

Contention

Debate surrounding SB319 largely revolves around the implications of linking health insurance coverage to vaccination status. Proponents argue that the bill serves an essential public health purpose by motivating individuals to get vaccinated, thus potentially leading to higher vaccination rates and better community health outcomes. Conversely, opponents may raise concerns about privacy rights and the fairness of conditioning health insurance coverage on personal health decisions. The societal impact of financial incentives tied to vaccination status fuels further discussion on ethical considerations within public health policies.

Latest SB319 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NH SB374

Relative to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations.

NH HB1633

Relative to requiring COVID-19 vaccination for school attendance.

NH HB1490

Relative to equal access to places of public accommodation regardless of vaccination status.

NH HB1352

Relative to eligibility for workers' compensation for an adverse reaction to a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.

NH HB1495

Prohibiting the state from requiring businesses to require vaccine or documentation related to vaccination or immunity status.

NH HB1224

Prohibiting state and local governments from adopting certain mandates in response to COVID-19; and prohibiting employers and places of public accommodation from discriminating on the basis of vaccination status.

NH HB539

Relative to vaccination clinics at schools.

NH HB1622

Relative to notice that a health care provider is no longer accepting new patients and relative to mental health parity.

NH SB555

Relative to receipt of pharmaceutical rebates by insurers and pharmacy benefits managers.

NH SB518

Relative to incentivizing landlords to accept housing choice vouchers.

Similar Bills

NH HB524

Relative to regional greenhouse gas initiative funds.

NH HB418

Relative to eliminating the rebates distributed by the energy efficiency fund.

NH SB68

Relative to municipal host for purposes of limited electrical energy producers.

NH SB56

Relative to payments for restoration of certain jurisdictional resource losses.

NH HB1601

Relative to funding of the NHsaves program

NH HB233

Relative to useful thermal energy under the renewable portfolio standards.

NH HB114

Removing fees and charges for governmental records under the right-to-know law and reinstating potential liability for disclosure of information exempt from disclosure.

NH HB1170

Requiring public benefit and community impact assessments from the department of environmental services.