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2001 SESSION

01-1011

05/01

HOUSE BILL 532

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a committee to study the adequacy of funding for the continued universal distribution of children's vaccines.

The bill is a request of the department of health and human services.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

4/12/01...0832s

31may01...1430eba

01-1011

05/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand One

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

94:1 Purpose. The general court finds that:

I. The reduction or elimination of diseases such as smallpox, polio, and measles due to the introduction of vaccines is one of the most significant achievements of modern medicine and is vital to maintaining the public health.

II. New Hampshire is one of 15 states that is a universal provider of vaccine. As a universal provider state, federally approved vaccines are available free of charge to any child from birth through 18 years of age.

III. Voluntary financial contributions by insurers towards the purchase of vaccines has allowed New Hampshire to remain a universal vaccine provider state. These contributions also benefit insurers, inasmuch as there is a substantial savings to insurers when the state purchases vaccines at the federal discount rate.

IV. There are significant unknowns regarding the future funding for vaccines due to the increasing costs of existing vaccines, the expected introduction of new and more costly products, and the unpredictability of financial participation by insurers.

94:2 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study sources of stable funding for the continuing universal distribution of vaccines to New Hampshire children.

94:3 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

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

(b) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

94:4 Duties. The committee shall study any issues which, in its discretion, are relevant to the overall funding of the universal distribution of vaccines for children. The committee may solicit information from any outside source the committee deems relevant, including state agencies, vaccine manufacturers, health maintenance organizations, insurance carriers, and health care providers.

94:5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study 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.

94:6 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2001.

94:7 Effective Date. This act shall be effective upon passage.

(Approved: June 21, 2001)

(Effective Date: June 21, 2001