Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Medicaid Policy Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lawmakers hear bill asking DHHS to study federal Medicaid changes and report statewide impacts
Summary
Sponsor and a wide group of providers and advocacy groups urged the committee to direct DHHS to produce a comprehensive study of pending federal Medicaid changes so the Legislature can plan for coverage, provider stability and budget impacts.
Representative Laura Telerski introduced House Bill 17‑94 FN, a legislative request directing the Department of Health and Human Services to compile a comprehensive analysis and roadmap on how federal Medicaid changes could affect New Hampshire’s coverage, providers and finances.
Telerski told the committee that recent federal shifts have created uncertainty and that state planning should be proactive: "By acting now, informed by data and an understanding of our state's unique health care infrastructure, we can avoid destabilizing disruptions to coverage and care." She cited estimates from a recent fiscal policy institute report showing potential large revenue and federal match losses over time.
A broad coalition of providers and nonprofits — including community health centers, behavioral‑health providers, AARP, NAMI, New Futures, Waypoint and the New Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Association — testified in favor, saying state‑specific data is necessary to identify where coverage losses will occur, which populations and communities will be affected, and how to mitigate provider strain and uncompensated care.
Henry Lippman told the committee the department supports transparency and is already providing some data to outside analysts, but that a comprehensive report will require funding for contractor work on complex questions (for example, quantifying impacts on specific organizations and communities). He noted ongoing federal grants (the rural health transformation grant) that may offset some adaptation costs but are not intended as direct stopgap budget support.
Committee members asked about overlaps with existing oversight committees and departmental efforts; proponents said HB 17‑94 is intended to consolidate and make actionable the information for legislators. The public hearing closed with the department acknowledging some work is already underway but supporting a formal, consolidated report to the Legislature.
