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Bill

SB 452

enabling health care providers to offer certain complementary and alternative health care services.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Avard and 3 co-sponsors

SB 452 permits New Hampshire healthcare providers to offer complementary and alternative medicine services, expanding treatment options but raising questions about safety standards and insurance coverage.

Refer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 452

Legislative bill overview

SB 452 would allow licensed healthcare providers in New Hampshire to legally offer complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services alongside conventional care. The bill appears designed to remove regulatory barriers that currently prevent mainstream providers from integrating practices like acupuncture, herbal medicine, or other non-conventional therapies into their practices.

Why is this important

This could expand patient access to a wider range of treatment options and potentially reduce costs if patients can receive CAM services from their primary care providers rather than seeking specialists. However, it raises significant questions about medical oversight, patient safety, and whether insurance coverage would follow—ultimately affecting healthcare accessibility and out-of-pocket costs for New Hampshire residents.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulation and safety standards: Unclear what standards would govern these services or whether providers need additional training/certification beyond their existing licenses
  • Evidence-based medicine concerns: Medical boards may worry about providers offering treatments with limited scientific evidence, potentially delaying necessary conventional treatment
  • Insurance and liability implications: Uncertainty about whether insurance would cover CAM services, who bears liability if treatments cause harm, and whether this creates unfair competition for CAM specialists

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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