A Republican state senator says allowing New Hampshire residents to buy health insurance across state lines would increase competition and lower costs, but the state Insurance Department says his proposal would not accomplish those goals.
Sen. Andy Sanborn of Bedford told the Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday that if a health plan in another state meets federal requirements under the Affordable Care Act, there's no reason why New Hampshire residents shouldn't be able to buy it. He says if a plan is good enough for Alabama, it should be good enough for New Hampshire.
But Tyler Brannan, an insurance department analyst, testified that if less expensive insurance was available, it would not include some basic consumer protections, such as ensuring there is an adequate provider network.
