Concord, NH – Today, the House of Representatives passed HB 1696, a bill to reauthorize the New Hampshire Health Protection Plan. This bill will now go to the House Finance Committee.
Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro), who is a co-sponsor on the bill, issued a statement following the vote.
“Today’s vote in the house is a big step forward in ensuring that 47,000 low-wage earning citizens have health care through the New Hampshire Health Protection Plan,” said Senator Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro).
“We know that the 2-year reauthorization and reform plan in HB 1696 will protect our state’s taxpayers by restricting any general funds or new taxes from being used to pay for reauthorization. It maintains private insurance plans for these citizens, which have helped reduce the hidden tax of uncompensated care by nearly $150 million. Hospitals and Insurers will pay for the portion of the program no longer covered by the Federal Government and if we are short any funding, the program will end.”
“This plan will also establish work requirements based on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program which is already used in the state to help people obtain education or work in the state,” said Bradley.
“We are encouraged by the support we’ve seen thus far and look forward to working together to seek ultimate passage of this bill.”
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