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HB 1671 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Protecting vaccine exemptions in Medicaid funding

AI-generated

relative to prohibiting state Medicaid payments to facilities that discriminate against employees, students, or trainees for exercising lawful medical or religious vaccine exemptions.

Prohibits state Medicaid payments to health care facilities that discriminate against employees, students, or trainees for exercising a lawful medical or religious vaccine exemption, and allows suspension from Medicaid as a penalty.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits state Medicaid payments to facilities that discriminate against employees, students, or trainees for exercising lawful medical or religious vaccine exemptions.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Linda McGrathRPrime
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy

Also: Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. Paul TerryR, Rep. Jim KofaltR

Public testimony

814 signed in online · 171 wrote testimony

31% support69% oppose0% neutral

ForVaccine mandates violate bodily autonomy and informed consent

AgainstVaccination requirements protect vulnerable patients

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Support - require the state to withhold Medicaid payments from any medical facility who does not accept religious and medical exemptions for employees or students training at the facility. Thank you! -Mrs. Martha Jaquith Kingston , NH”
— Martha Jaquith, Kingstonsupports
“There should be no discrimination against individual's health decisions.”
— Lori Matson, New Ipswichsupports
“The State should withhold Medicaid payments from any medical facility who does not accept religious and medical exemptions for employees or students training at the facility.”
— Susan LaPointe, Eppingsupports
“I write in strong opposition to HB 1671, a bill which would put in danger the most vulnerable of our citizens within the environment where they should receive the greatest protection.…”
— Janet Lucas, Camptonopposes
“relative to prohibiting state Medicaid payments to facilities that discriminate against employees, students, or trainees for exercising lawful medical or religious vaccine exemptions.”
— Richard DeMark, Meredithopposes
“Vaccines save lives. Unvaccinated people are a danger to the public. Responsible people get vaccinated unless they have an underlying health concern that prevents them from doing so.”
— Debora Hatcher, Doveropposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-049:30 amHouse JudiciaryGP 230Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 1 P. 30
  2. Feb 4, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2026 09:30 am GP 230
  3. Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 09:30 am GP 230
  4. Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study 02/04/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 7 P. 16
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 27

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.