New Hampshire SB 666: relative to consumer protection, transparency, and oversight of certain health care transactions and establishing a study committee to analyze health insurance providers, their practices, policies, premiums, management, and the impact to consumers.

Bill Text

SB 666-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-3268

 05/09

SENATE BILL 666-FN

AN ACT relative to consumer protection, transparency, and oversight of certain health care transactions and establishing a study committee to analyze health insurance providers, their practices, policies, premiums, management, and the impact to consumers. 

SPONSORS: Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Reardon, Dist 15; Sen. Long, Dist 20; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5

COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services

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ANALYSIS

This bill: 

 I. Defines and regulates material health care transactions, and requires notice to the department of justice of health care transactions that change of control of a health care entity and that may reasonably be expected to affect competition, cost of health care services, or access to care. The bill authorizes the department to review, monitor, and approve such transactions and enforce violations of the regulatory requirements as a violation of the consumer protection act.

 II. Establishes a legislative committee to study health insurance providers, their practices, policies, premiums, management, and the impact to consumers.

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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-3268

 05/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to consumer protection, transparency, and oversight of certain health care transactions and establishing a study committee to analyze health insurance providers, their practices, policies, premiums, management, and the impact to consumers. 

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

 1 Short Title. This act shall be known as the "Keep Wall Street Out of Health Care Act". 

 2 Purpose. The purpose of this act is to: 

 I. Protect consumers of health care services in New Hampshire from anticompetitive consolidation, excessive cost increases, and reductions in access or quality of care;

 II. Provide enhanced oversight of material health care transactions, including those involving private equity and for-profit ownership;

 III. Ensure transparency in ownership, financing, and control of health care providers; 

 IV. Preserve the independent clinical judgment of licensed health care professionals; and

 V. Establish a study committee to analyze health insurance providers, their practices, policies, premiums, management, and the impact to consumers. 

 3 New Chapter; Regulation of Material Health Care Transactions. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 358-T the following new chapter: 

CHAPTER 358-U

REGULATION OF MATERIAL HEALTH CARE TRANSACTIONS

 358-U:1 Definitions. In this chapter:

 I. "Affected health care entity" means any hospital, health system, clinic, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care center, diagnostic facility, physician practice, or other entity licensed or certified to provide health care services in this state. 

 II. "Change of control" means any transaction or series of transactions that results in a person or entity obtaining direct or indirect control of an affected health care entity, including through: 

 (a) Equity acquisition;

 (b) Merger or consolidation;

 (c) Management services agreement; or

 (d) Any arrangement conferring operational or financial control. 

 III. ''Department" means the department of justice, consumer protection and antitrust bureau. 

 IV. "For-profit health care transaction" means a material health care transaction resulting in full or partial ownership or control by a for-profit entity.

 V. "Material health care transaction" means a change of control or affiliation involving an affected health care entity that may reasonably be expected to materially affect:

 (a) Competition;

 (b) Cost of health care services;

 (c) Access to care; or

 (d) Quality or continuity of care in this state.

 VI. "Private equity entity" means any investment fund, partnership, or similar vehicle that acquires or holds an ownership or controlling interest in an affected health care entity and is not itself a licensed health care provider.

 358-U:2 Advance Notice of Material Health Care Transaction Required.

 I. Parties engaging in a material health care transaction shall file written notice with the department at least 60 days prior to the proposed closing date.

 II. Notice shall be required for: 

 (a) Any change of control involving an affected health care entity;

 (b) Any material transaction involving a private equity entity; and

 (c) Any material transaction invo