New Hampshire House Bill HB608

New Hampshire 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/23
• Refer: 1/12/23

Caption

Establishing a pilot program to support the bureau of developmental services redesign.

Impact

The pilot program is designed to involve two to three area agencies and will explore important topics including changes to the developmental services waiver system, updating reimbursement models, and improving service integration and billing processes. The findings from this pilot are expected to inform future policy decisions, with the analysis being publicly available by March 1, 2024. The program is also intended to address feedback from stakeholders, ensuring that the voices of those affected by these services are considered in the redesign efforts.

Summary

House Bill 608 establishes a pilot program to support the redesign of the Bureau of Developmental Services within the Department of Health and Human Services. The pilot project aims to begin by July 1, 2023, and will assess various aspects of the bureau's service delivery system. The bill specifies that no comprehensive redesign can occur before July 1, 2024, effectively delaying such efforts until after the pilot has concluded. This timeframe allows the department to gather data and evaluate potential impacts before implementing broader changes to the system.

Contention

Critics may express concerns regarding the suspension of ongoing redesign efforts, as this may delay necessary improvements to the services provided to individuals with developmental disabilities. Furthermore, the financial implications of the pilot—particularly the potential duplicative costs—are a point of contention among advocates. There are warnings that suspending ongoing compliance with federal requirements could lead to significant financial consequences, including the loss of federal matching funds totaling $182 million annually if existing systems are not adequately maintained during the pilot project.