SB613 Relative to licensing requirements for health care facilities established within a 15 mile radius of a critical access hospital and relative to transfers from freestanding hospital emergency facilities.
Relative to licensing requirements for health care facilities established within a 15 mile radius of a critical access hospital and relative to transfers from freestanding hospital emergency facilities.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Concerning
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Could limit competition near rural hospitals, potentially affecting pricing dynamics in both directions.
Your Community
Protects critical access hospitals that are often the only emergency and inpatient care option in rural NH communities.
Your Freedom
Restricts where new healthcare facilities can open, limiting market entry near vulnerable rural hospitals.
Status
Pending Motion OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; Senate Journal 7
Sponsor
Suzanne Prentiss (D)
The Short Version
Addresses licensing requirements for new healthcare facilities opening near critical access hospitals. Aims to protect rural hospitals from competition that could undermine their viability and access to care.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Rural communities dependent on critical access hospitals
- ▲ Patients in underserved areas
- ▲ Critical access hospitals
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Healthcare companies seeking to open facilities near rural hospitals
- ▼ Patients who might benefit from more competition
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.