The Concord Monitor reports a House committee shelved a proposed bill aimed at requiring private insurance coverage for services in New Hampshire’s FAST Forward program.
House committee shelves proposed coverage measure
According to the Concord Monitor, a House committee voted to shelve Senate Bill 498 on May 6, 2026. The proposed legislation would have addressed private insurance coverage for mental health services for children enrolled in New Hampshire’s Families and Systems Together, or FAST, Forward program.
The Concord Monitor reported that the committee action came hours after Gov. Kelly Ayotte called on lawmakers to require private insurers to cover the services. The bill was proposed legislation and was not enacted, based on the committee’s decision to shelve it.
Program coverage gap
The Concord Monitor reported that the coverage gap has led taxpayers and the state to fund the FAST Forward behavioral health program for privately insured children ages 5 through 21. According to the newspaper, that funding costs the state roughly $2 million a year.
FAST Forward provides individualized wraparound care, the Concord Monitor reported. Its services include peer support, crisis planning and family-centered services, according to the report.
Private insurers cover some FAST Forward services, but do so piecemeal rather than through a bundled payment rate, the Concord Monitor reported. Senate Bill 498 would have sought to close that gap in coverage for privately insured children in the program.
Governor raises concerns about insurers
According to the Concord Monitor, Ayotte singled out Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, which insures the largest share of children participating in FAST Forward. In a statement reported by the newspaper, Ayotte criticized insurers’ denial of coverage for services for children experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Concord Monitor reported that Ayotte urged the House committee to advance the legislation, describing the measure as a way to hold insurance companies accountable and protect mental health service coverage for vulnerable children.
Family experience
The Concord Monitor also reported comments from Katie Lyon-Pingree, a mother from Bow. She said she was not made aware of FAST Forward during her son’s mental health struggles, despite the interventions he received, according to the newspaper.
Her account was included as lawmakers debated the proposed insurance-coverage change, the Concord Monitor reported. The report did not state that Senate Bill 498 would move forward after the committee shelved it.
What this means for New Hampshire patients
The Concord Monitor’s report highlights an unresolved proposed coverage issue involving a children’s behavioral health program. For people seeking treatment locally, the directory lists 29 published clinics in New Hampshire.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More New Hampshire reporting on access & coverage.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.