HB559

This bill would pose unnecessary risk in the community for diseases that are known to cause life altering and life threatening diseases . It would create a financial barrier for many families that can be avoided by keeping our current practices for vaccine coverage. It would pose a public health risk as it can potentially lead to an increase rate of illness in our communities. This would complicate the routine vaccination process and if we find rates of these diseases rise due to it; we are then at risk for higher healthcare costs, more personnel shortages if needing to to care for children with disabilities (in the case of encephalitis or brain damage) and also at risk for more healthcare inequity issues. It is in our best interest to keep vaccine coverage out of the control of insurance as they can be opportunistic and take advantage of our patients. This would also allow those who don’t want the vaccines to choose not to have them while allowing those who do want them to have the option without concern for insurance coverage. We do have some families with poor coverage and this would impact them and our community. Therefore I believe any change to our current practice for vaccine coverage is a public health concern and is not appropriate.

I am opposed to the Non-Germane Amendment 058h. Every person has the fundamental right to access the health care they need without fear of discrimination, prejudice, or barriers to treatment that supports their mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

This comment is in reference to HB 554, eliminating the vaccine program in NH. I am against the passing of this bill. I am a retired elementary principal in NH. When we had unvaccinated children, at school, and we had another child with a specific disease, we had to immediately move the unvaccinated child from that classroom environment. This program supports people, who can’t afford vaccines, to get them. Please do not eliminate this vital program to give our children the same chances to be healthy. Thank you!