Health Care Compacts (Oppose)
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Download the following fact sheet on HB 1560
What is a Health Compact?
The interstate health care compact is a state legislative proposal that would allow states to jointly opt out of all federal health rules, now and in the future. This would include everything from the Affordable Care Act to Medicare and Medicaid. Once the legislation is approved by a group of states, the compact would have to be ratified by Congress and signed by the President. (See the proposal at www.healthcarecompact.org.)
Compact states would receive a block grant set at the level of federal health spending in their states in FY2010. In future years, the capped funding would grow at a rate slower than overall health care inflation, meaning states would have to make cuts and to ration care every year.
Interstate compacts are commonplace in handling regional and multi-state problems such as transportation (e.g., the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey), water rights or environmental protection, but no compact of this size and scope has ever been approved.
What does this bill do?
The health care compact would allow states to opt out of all federal health care laws. A compact state could drop seniors from Medicare coverage, eliminate our Medicaid and CHIP protections for vulnerable children, end Medicaid-sponsored long-term care services for elders and people with disabilities, terminate protections for children with pre-existing conditions, and stop the enforcement of laws protecting medical privacy. A compact state would be free to replace any and all of these previous federal programs and protections with risky and/or inadequate state-based schemes or, if a state so chose, not replace them at all.
It’s important to note that, while each compact state would be taking complete responsibility for its health care policy, HB1560 proposes nothing to actually take the place of federally-guaranteed health services and protections. HB 1560 offers no tangible alternate plan: to reform or improve our health care system; to provide essential health services for our most vulnerable populations; to improve health care outcomes; to cover the uninsured; to reduce uncompensated care and cost-shifting; to better manage premium and health care costs; or to replicate any of the real and potential benefits of existing federal health care programs.
Why is this bad for New Hampshire?
- HB 1560 would eliminate and/or jeopardize all of the federal protections & benefits currently guaranteed to us by law. It would take away all federal oversight & minimum standards for essential health programs.
- HB 1560 does not provide any details for how or even whether the state might administer alternate health programs – leaving huge questions about how New Hampshire residents will access coverage, whether we will face major cuts or gaps, or whether we will just be denied health care altogether.
- HB 1560 is a misdirected national strategy and political effort, developed by out of state interests, that offers no practical alternative to federal health protections, and that promises no real benefit to New Hampshire residents.
How can I help?
If you can help oppose this bill or would like more information, please contact Voices Network Manager and Advocacy & Organizing Coordinator Mike Goudzwaard, mike@nhvoicesforhealth.org or (603) 369-4767.
More resources:
Download this page as a fact sheet
Download talking points on HB 1560
Latest Update: Testimony Needed
In late March 2012, the House voted to adopt HB 1560, as introduced, by a 221-131 voting margin after defeating the House Commerce Committee's recommended amendment to HB 1560, which would have converted the bill to a study committee on the Interstate Health Care Compact. As a result, HB 1560 as introduced moved on to the Senate.
HB 1560 will be presented by Senate Majority Leader, Senator Jeb Bradley to the full Senate on Wednesday, May 9th at 10:00 AM for a vote on the committee’s recommendation. As a bill sent to Interim Study the bill would not move forward at this time. Voices is recommending Senators support the committee’s recommendation.
Families, individuals, advocates, advocacy organizations, and businesses willing to testify in opposition to the proposed Interstate Health Compact are encouraged to contact Mike at NH Voices for Health. Several advocacy opportunities are available as the bill is debated in the Senate committee and on the floor.
