HB 1653 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee
Patient transfer rights at ER facilities
AI-generatedrelative to emergency medical care provided at freestanding hospital emergency facilities.
Regulates transfer policies at freestanding hospital emergency facilities, providing that patients receiving emergency medical care may transfer to the acute care hospital of their choice rather than only the facility's owner or operator.AI-generated
Status
Died on the table in the House · March 5, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill regulates transfer policies at freestanding hospital emergency facilities (FHEFs). The bill provides that patients receiving emergency medical care at FHEFs shall have the option to transfer to the acute care hospital of their choice and shall not be limited solely to the facility that owns or operates the FHEF.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site
““Freestanding hospital emergency facility” or “FHEF” means a hospital geographically separate from the parent hospital, which is owned or operated, directly or indirectly, by the parent hospital and which provides emergency acute care identical to those services provided by the parent hospital.”
“Any FHEF licensed in this state shall provide patients, or their legal representatives when applicable, with the opportunity to choose the receiving hospital when a transfer is medically necessary and the receiving hospital has the capability to address the patient’s needs.”
“The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall issue interim rules under RSA 541-A:19 to implement this subdivision, and final rules shall be adopted by June 30, 2027.”
““Parent hospital” means the hospital which owns and operates a freestanding hospital emergency facility.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Bill OhmRClerk· Ways and Means
- Rep. Vanessa SheehanRVice Chair· Legislative Administration
- Rep. Daniel VeilleuxDDeputy Ranking Member· Transportation
- Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
- Sen. Kevin AvardRVice Chair· Health and Human Services
Also: Rep. Tim HartnettD, Rep. Alicia GreggD, Rep. Manoj ChourasiaD, Rep. Megan MurrayD, Rep. Suzanne VailD
Public testimony
Votes
yeanay- Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate10–7Overall59% yea
- Mar 5, 2026HouseDivisionLay HB1653 on Table (Rep. W. MacDonald)Adopted173–158Overall52% yea
Hearings and debates
- Jan 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs4:30:59–4:41:4010m 41slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
- Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs6:30:23–6:31:541m 31slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
- Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor6:55:29–7:01:386m 9slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB1653 on Table (Rep. W. MacDonald) — adopted, division 173-158
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 30
- Jan 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2026 02:00 pm GP 158
- Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 02:30 pm GP 158
- Jan 28, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 9 P. 41
- Feb 3, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
- Mar 5, 2026HouseLay HB1653 on Table (Rep. W. MacDonald): MA DV 173-158 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 116
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.