Michael Courville

To: House Judiciary Committee From: Michael Courville, Manchester, NH Date: February 5, 2026 Subject: HB1769 – In Opposition Dear Chairman and Members of the Committee, My name is Michael Courville, and I am a resident of Manchester. I am writing to express my strong opposition to HB1769 and urge the committee to vote Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL). HB1769 is a direct interference in the ethical and professional obligations of healthcare providers. I oppose this legislation for the following reasons: Interference with Medical Ethics: This bill effectively functions as a "gag rule," preventing doctors and nurses at any facility receiving state or municipal funds from providing comprehensive medical information to their patients. Patients deserve the full range of their medical options, not a censored version dictated by the legislature. Mandated Referrals to Unregulated Facilities: HB1769 requires that if an abortion referral is made, the provider must also refer the patient to a "pregnancy resource center." These centers are often non-medical, unregulated, and do not operate under the same privacy and ethical standards as licensed medical facilities. The state should not be in the business of forcing doctors to refer patients to non-clinical entities. Threat of Litigation: This bill creates a "bounty" system by permitting taxpayers and family members to sue medical facilities or the state over these referrals. This will lead to a wave of frivolous, politically motivated lawsuits that will drain public resources and create a "chilling effect," where providers become too afraid to offer even basic medical advice for fear of being sued. Impact on Manchester’s Healthcare Infrastructure: As a resident of Manchester, I am concerned about the local impact on our health centers. Manchester relies on a robust network of publicly funded health services. Threatening these facilities with lawsuits and funding cuts over private medical conversations hurts the health and stability of our entire community. Healthcare decisions are personal and should be based on medical science and the well-being of the patient—not on political mandates that restrict speech and transparency. For these reasons, I respectfully ask the committee to protect the integrity of New Hampshire’s healthcare system and vote ITL on HB1769. Sincerely, Michael Courville Manchester, NH