This week, two RAD-supported healthcare access bills made huge advancements in the Senate and House! See Highlights from Last Week below for more information.
In the coming week, two priority healthcare bills will be heard, one in the Senate Health Committee and one in a House floor vote. See Top Actions this Week to learn how you can voice your support!
See Rights & Democracy’s 2022 NH legislative priorities
In other news… Rights & Democracy’s New Hampshire team is hiring!
With Asma transitioning into a new role at Race Forward, we are looking for our next NH Movement Politics Director to continue co-creating the movement-centered governing infrastructure that shifts power into the hands of the people.
We also have two exciting new openings for a NH HEAL Together Organizer and an Overdose Crisis Organizer, who will advance our fights for education and healthcare justice.
Are you the candidate we’re looking for? Application deadlines are quickly approaching, so apply today!
We are still spreading the word about the in-depth candidate training that we are offering with the Working Families Party. Beginning April 7th and running through the end of May, this will be an 8-week series of powerful 2-hour virtual trainings, covering important messaging and skills. Please share, and get y’alls candidate prospects signed up! Apply here.
The 8 Training Topics & Dates:
- Independent Political Power (Thursday, April 7)
- Strategy & Targeting (Thursday, April 14)
- Messaging (Thursday, April 21)
- Field (Thursday, April 28)
- Digital & Tools (Thursday, May 5)
- Fundraising (Thursday, May 12)
- Tackling Systemic Inequality (Thursday, May 19)
- Structure & Timeline (Thursday, May 26)
Finally, join our national partners at Race Forward this Wednesday, as they launch the H.E.A.L. Together initiative (Honest Education, Action & Leadership). Learn about the latest culture wars around public schools, and how to join Rights & Democracy and Race Forward in organizing for the education all students deserve. RSVP here.
Invite others to sign up here for these weekly updates.
Until next week, and in solidarity,
David Bates
Sebastian Fuentes
Ed Taylor, NH State Director, Rights & Democracy
Sign in to register your support or opposition on RAD priority bills, contact your legislators, and/or testify in writing and in person!
[highlight style=”gray”]HEALTHCARE JUSTICE[/highlight]
Support HB 103: On Wednesday March 30th, the Senate Health Committee will hold a public hearing on HB 103, which will expand NH Medicaid to cover preventative dental care such as cleanings for low income adults, rather than only emergency room tooth extractions.
Sign in to support the bill here, and/or testify in person in Room 101 of the Legislative Office Building at 9am.
Support HB 1622: On Thursday, March 31st, the House will vote on whether to pass HB 1622, requiring insurers to maintain adequate access to mental healthcare services in their network. You can voice your support by contacting your State Representative(s).
[highlight style=”gray”]CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM[/highlight]
Oppose HB 1476: On Thursday, March 31st, the House will vote on whether to pass HB 1476, which would mandate the pretrial incarceration of an individual charged with any offense, if they were on release for any offense at the time, including a Class B misdemeanor offense that carries no jail time if convicted. This bill undoes major recent progressive bail reforms to ensure that no one is jailed simply because they are poor.
Voice your opposition by contacting your House Representative(s). See ACLU talking points here.
[highlight style=”gray”]IMMIGRATION JUSTICE[/highlight]
Support HB 1463, relative to driver’s licenses issued in accordance with the Real ID Act of 2005. On Thursday, March 31st, the House will vote on whether to pass HB 1463, which among other things simplifies the process of obtaining a driver’s license for non-citizens with a legal immigration status. Voice your support by contacting your State Representative(s).
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On Wednesday, March 23rd, the House Finance Committee unanimously voted to recommend passage of HB 1622, requiring insurers to maintain adequate access to mental healthcare services in their network.
On Thursday, March 24th, the Senate voted to pass RAD-supported HB 1390, which requires language access services for limited-English proficient speakers and deaf or hard of hearing individuals when healthcare services are provided through telemedicine. The House and Senate passed this bill with slightly different language. Before it is sent to the Governor’s desk to sign, one body will have to accept the other’s version, or a mutual compromise will have to be agreed upon at a Committee of Conference.
Wednesday March 30th, 7pm
H.E.A.L Together Launch
Beginning April 7th, 8 sessions
WFP x RAD New England Candidate Training Series
Beginning Sunday, April 10th, 1 – 3pm
Race Class Academy Series
Tips for Testifying
In person: Go early to the room assigned for the committee hearing early. There will be a form for you to sign your name and who you are representing. You may sign in as yourself if you are not representing an organization. The higher your name is on the list, the earlier you get to speak. You will be called on when they open the hearing to the public.
Online: If you cannot attend a hearing in person, you can register your position online up to a week out. (Registration is cut off 30 minutes before a hearing.) After signing in support of a bill, the confirmation page will list the email address where you can submit written testimony. Email committee members to let them know why you support or oppose a bill.
Helpful Links
Senate
- Register your position and/or submit testimony on a Senate bill here.
- Find the Senate Calendar here (meeting links are in the Calendar Notice pdf).
- Find your Senator here.
House
- Register your position and/or submit testimony on a House bill here.
- Find the House Calendar here.
- Find your Representative(s) here.
Don’t know your district? Use this map.