SB 545-FN (2026): relative to financial eligibility for the Medicare savings program.

SB 545-FN (2026)

relative to financial eligibility for the Medicare savings program.

• Status: Killed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Welfare/Medicare/Medicaid

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 14, 2026. The committee voted 4–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On February 19, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1210s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1210s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 26, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 26, 2026 and was referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 8, 2026, with 62 people signed in online: 62 in support. The committee met in executive session on April 15, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House kill it, and the minority recommended that the House pass it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On April 23, 2026 the House voted to kill it on a roll call 182–153.

Sponsors

• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Debra Altschiller (D - SD24)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Rep. Mary Hakken-Phillips (D - Graf 12)
• Sen. Pat Long (D - SD20)
• Rep. David Nagel (D - Belk 6)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Rep. Laura Telerski (D - Hills 11)
• Rep. Mary Jane Wallner (D - Merr 19)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)
• Rep. Lucy Weber (D - Ches 5)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 14, 2026, 9:00 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• February 19, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 8, 2026, 9:00 AM: public hearing, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 158
• April 15, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 158
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 19, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1210s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: Inexpedient to Legislate — yeas 182, nays 153, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 167

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 6
• SJ 4
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• HJ 9, page 54
• HJ 11, page 58
• House Calendar 16, 2026, committee report