A plea for action from Gov. Kelly Ayotte to expand insurance coverage of children’s mental health services was rejected Wednesday by the House Commerce Committee. Ayotte had called on the committee to send the bill to the House floor, but members instead voted to retain it for further study. “Since this amendment is just out of the blue, my natural tendency would be that let’s hold on to this and let’s see if we really need to do it,” said Rep. John Hunt, R-Rindge. “Everybody is pointing fingers at everybody else. So now the question is, who’s telling the truth? Or what is the truth? Where are we? We don’t know,” said Rep. Carrie Spier, D-Nashua. Ayotte criticized the decision. “I think this was really wrong,” she said. “Anthem and other insurance companies should be covering the support and treatment for children with mental health issues.” Some state representatives joined Ayotte in calling for immediate action, saying the issue has been worked on for years. >> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go << “We do need to hold the plans responsible, and they’ve been full of empty promises,” said Rep. Julie Miles, R-Merrimack. “This is our committee’s opportunity, as the Consumer Protection Committee, to do the good work for the patients of New Hampshire.” In a statement to News 9, Anthem said it was disappointed with the governor’s comments:”Anthem remains committed to ensuring that all children who need it have access to high-quality, coordinated behavioral health care — including wraparound services when clinically appropriate, which we cover for children and adults who are Anthem members. We are disappointed in Governor Ayotte’s comments today regarding Anthem and our position on SB 498. We have met with the state on multiple occasions to work toward resolution, and just yesterday, we joined other health insurers in signing a letter to the Governor demonstrating a shared commitment to continue working on this matter.”We have been clear with all stakeholders about our concerns with SB 498; it would create a nonprofit board to assess new fees on commercially insured customers. The fees would fund undefined mental health services with two Medicaid-contracted care-management entities, or CMEs. Because these CMEs provide services for Medicaid and not commercially insured members, Anthem has been working in good faith with them on a path forward.” Advocates said further delays could have serious consequences. “Waiting until September is really only going to cause more grieving,” said Samantha Morrell, a supporter of Senate Bill 498.
CONCORD, N.H. —
A plea for action from Gov. Kelly Ayotte to expand insurance coverage of children’s mental health services was rejected Wednesday by the House Commerce Committee.
Ayotte had called on the committee to send the bill to the House floor, but members instead voted to retain it for further study.
“Since this amendment is just out of the blue, my natural tendency would be that let’s hold on to this and let’s see if we really need to do it,” said Rep. John Hunt, R-Rindge.
“Everybody is pointing fingers at everybody else. So now the question is, who’s telling the truth? Or what is the truth? Where are we? We don’t know,” said Rep. Carrie Spier, D-Nashua.
Ayotte criticized the decision.
“I think this was really wrong,” she said. “Anthem and other insurance companies should be covering the support and treatment for children with mental health issues.”
Some state representatives joined Ayotte in calling for immediate action, saying the issue has been worked on for years.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<
“We do need to hold the plans responsible, and they’ve been full of empty promises,” said Rep. Julie Miles, R-Merrimack. “This is our committee’s opportunity, as the Consumer Protection Committee, to do the good work for the patients of New Hampshire.”
In a statement to News 9, Anthem said it was disappointed with the governor’s comments:
“Anthem remains committed to ensuring that all children who need it have access to high-quality, coordinated behavioral health care — including wraparound services when clinically appropriate, which we cover for children and adults who are Anthem members. We are disappointed in Governor Ayotte’s comments today regarding Anthem and our position on SB 498. We have met with the state on multiple occasions to work toward resolution, and just yesterday, we joined other health insurers in signing a letter to the Governor demonstrating a shared commitment to continue working on this matter.
“We have been clear with all stakeholders about our concerns with SB 498; it would create a nonprofit board to assess new fees on commercially insured customers. The fees would fund undefined mental health services with two Medicaid-contracted care-management entities, or CMEs. Because these CMEs provide services for Medicaid and not commercially insured members, Anthem has been working in good faith with them on a path forward.”
Advocates said further delays could have serious consequences.
“Waiting until September is really only going to cause more grieving,” said Samantha Morrell, a supporter of Senate Bill 498.