Advocated for State-Led Insurance Solutions and Market-Driven Reforms
Last week, New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and Deputy Commissioner Keith Nyhan traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) 2025 Commissioner Fly-In. Over the course of two days, they joined state insurance regulators from across the country in meetings with members of Congress to advance a legislative agenda centered on consumer protection, insurance market stability, and a steadfast defense of the state-based system of insurance regulation.
As part of the Department’s direct engagement with New Hampshire’s federal delegation, Commissioner Bettencourt met personally with Congressman Chris Pappas and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander. In every conversation, the Department emphasized its core message: that decisions affecting consumers are best made by those closest to them.
“New Hampshire knows how to govern itself,” said Commissioners Bettencourt. “Granite Staters are best served when policies are shaped by those who understand our values, our communities, and our markets. Under Governor Ayotte’s leadership, New Hampshire hasn’t simply stood firm on these principles—she has led. We were proud to carry her message to Washington and advocate for thoughtful, state-led solutions that protect our citizens and uphold our tradition of responsible governance.”
Throughout the Fly-In, the Department championed six key priorities that reflect New Hampshire’s commitment to practical, principled policymaking:
- Elimination of the Federal Insurance Office (FIO):
The Department renewed its call for the elimination of the FIO, a federal entity whose function overlaps significantly with longstanding state responsibilities. The FIO’s duplicative data collection efforts, lack of subject-matter authority, and potential to erode the jurisdictional clarity between federal and state governments are deeply concerning. Insurance regulation has always resided with the states for good reason—and it should remain there. - Support for Enhanced Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs):
While the Affordable Care Act contains structural shortcomings that warrant reform, enhanced premium subsidies have helped thousands of New Hampshire families afford coverage under the current framework. The Department continues to advocate for serious, market-based reforms, but stressed the urgent need for timely federal guidance heading into the 2026 plan year to ensure clarity, stability, and affordability for consumers. - Strengthening Property Insurance Resiliency:
New Hampshire highlighted its leadership through the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program, a forward-looking initiative designed to reduce risk before disaster strikes. The Department encouraged federal support for states undertaking similar efforts, emphasizing that empowering individuals and communities to act proactively is far preferable to relying solely on post-disaster intervention. - Reform of the Liability Risk Retention Act:
Nonprofit organizations, particularly those delivering essential behavioral health services under state contracts, face growing difficulty in accessing affordable liability coverage. The Department called for targeted reforms to reduce regulatory barriers while maintaining appropriate oversight, allowing these organizations to focus on their missions rather than navigating unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. - Enhancing Oversight of Medicare Advantage Marketing Practices:
State regulators have reported a rise in deceptive marketing tactics in Medicare Advantage and ACA plans, often resulting in the unauthorized or inappropriate enrollment of vulnerable consumers. Despite engagement with federal partners, these practices persist. The Department urged Congress to restore and expand the authority of state regulators and CMS to safeguard the integrity of the marketplace and protect consumers. - Long-Term Reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP):
With the NFIP set to expire on September 30, 2025, the Department advocated for a long-term reauthorization that includes stronger mitigation components and greater opportunities for private market participation. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the program undercuts public confidence and deters the development of a more resilient, competitive flood insurance market.
“At the heart of each of these priorities is a unifying principle: government functions best when it respects its appropriate bounds, empowers individuals, and reinforces—rather than replaces—the ingenuity of free markets and the competence of state institutions,” said Commissioner Bettencourt.
“New Hampshire has never waited for Washington to tell us how to do what’s right,” Deputy Commissioner Nyhan concluded. “With Governor Ayotte’s leadership and the proven strength of our state-based regulatory system, we are showing that smart, accountable, and limited government still delivers the best results.”
The full list of the NAIC’s 2025 state insurance regulatory priorities is available at https://www.naic.org.
Source: NH Department of Insurance
