Gov. Kelly Ayotte said Thursday that mental health care is a top priority as she pushed for lawmakers to pass a bill that would expand insurance coverage for children’s mental health services.On Wednesday, Ayotte said she believed the House Commerce Committee was wrong to reject Senate Bill 498 and retain the bill for further study. She doubled down on her comments Thursday as she joined mental health advocates to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month.”If you care about children and you care about our commitment to mental health, then this bill is a no-brainer,” Ayotte said.Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver agreed with Ayotte.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<“We know that we have a good portion of our youth who have insurance but can’t get coverage, and then that falls on the state to fill that gap,” Weaver said.Ayotte openly criticized Anthem and other insurance companies, saying they should be covering support for children with mental health issues.”Our insurers — Anthem, the largest, but others as well — have been dragging their feet on this,” Ayotte said. “When people say things like, ‘Do we need this? Is this an issue?’ I mean, are you kidding me?”In a statement to News 9 responding to the governor’s comments, Anthem said:”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.”Aside from passing the bill, Ayotte said she hopes Mental Health Awareness Month in May can help reduce stigma and provide proper resources for children facing mental health challenges.
Gov. Kelly Ayotte said Thursday that mental health care is a top priority as she pushed for lawmakers to pass a bill that would expand insurance coverage for children’s mental health services.
On Wednesday, Ayotte said she believed the House Commerce Committee was wrong to reject Senate Bill 498 and retain the bill for further study. She doubled down on her comments Thursday as she joined mental health advocates to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month.
“If you care about children and you care about our commitment to mental health, then this bill is a no-brainer,” Ayotte said.
Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver agreed with Ayotte.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<
“We know that we have a good portion of our youth who have insurance but can’t get coverage, and then that falls on the state to fill that gap,” Weaver said.
Ayotte openly criticized Anthem and other insurance companies, saying they should be covering support for children with mental health issues.
“Our insurers — Anthem, the largest, but others as well — have been dragging their feet on this,” Ayotte said. “When people say things like, ‘Do we need this? Is this an issue?’ I mean, are you kidding me?”
In a statement to News 9 responding to the governor’s comments, Anthem said:
“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.”
Aside from passing the bill, Ayotte said she hopes Mental Health Awareness Month in May can help reduce stigma and provide proper resources for children facing mental health challenges.