Result of Vote on Mandated Ins. Covereage for WLS

RE:  New Hampshire HB 894 – Health Insurance Coverage for Bariatric Surgery for Type II Diabetics

On October 30, 2007, the HB 894 subcommittee met at 9:45am to vote a recommendation on the bill for consideration by the full committee.  The subcommittee voted 3-1 to pass the bill as amended. Representatives Jill Hammond, Steve Pelky and Matt Quandt supported and Representative Spratt opposed.

HB 894 was posted for a vote by the full committee during the executive session following.

18 of the 20 members of the House Commerce Committee were present for the Executive Session. In the midst of the debate on the motion, Chairperson Tara Reardon explained to the committee that if the motion to pass the bill failed they could entertain a motion to send to interim study.  She explained the statute that would allow a mandate review as part of the interim study process for the bill to be brought back and considered in ’09.  The motion to pass the bill with amendment failed 6-12. Representatives Lee Quandt, Matt Quandt, Jill Hammond, Steven Pelkey, Angie Kopka and Susan Nord supported the motion to pass the bill.

 

A motion to send the bill to interim study passed  on a vote of 14-4.   Representatives Lee Quandt, Matt Quandt, Jill Susan Nord and Houde voted against the interim study motion. The bill will be up for a vote on the House floor in early January.   ========== Once again, I ask that you consider writing letters to your representatives letting them know how important you consider WLS to be if it's determined to be the appropriate course of action.   You may also think about mentioning that you heard about this bill to your physician.  To that end, if you are attending the Portsmouth informational session in Newburyport, MA next Thursday night,  you can ask those physicians questions about this bill at that time.  They will have more information and some good insight.   Thanks again for taking the time to read this message.  The reps are listed below. Regards, Grant =========== Following are the members of the House Commerce Committee who need to be urged to support HB 894: Stephen T. DeStefano 7 Sharon Drive Bow, NH   03304-4325 Phone: (603)224-2641 email: [email protected] Paul McEachern 282 Corporate Drive Portsmouth, NH   03801-2849 Phone: (603)431-6653 email: [email protected] Edward A. Butler Notchland Inn Rte 302 Harts Location, NH   03812 Phone: (603)374-6131 email: [email protected] Matthew S. Houde P.O. Box 66 Meriden, NH   03770-0066 Phone: (603)504-2744 email: [email protected] Robert F. Matheson PO Box 252 North Woodstock, NH   03262-0252 Phone: (603)745-6155 email: [email protected] Joel F. Winters PO Box 135 Nashua, NH   03061-0135 Phone: (603)624-5635 John B. Hunt 165 Sunridge Road Rindge, NH   03461-5478 Phone: (603)899-6000 email: [email protected] Ronald J. Belanger PO Box 415 Salem, NH   03079-0415 Phone: (603)893-0659 email: [email protected] James R. Martin PO Box 537 Sanbornville, NH   03872-0537 Phone: (603)522-3969 email: [email protected] Stephen T. Pelkey PO Box 202 Jaffrey, NH   03452-0202 Phone: (603)532-6911 email: [email protected] ###