Concord, NH – Today, the Senate Finance Committee was joined by members of the Senate Health and Humans Services Committee to hear HB 1696, the reauthorization of the New Hampshire Health Protection Plan [NHHPP]. The program is set to expire at the end of this year without additional legislation.
Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) issued the following statement after testifying.
“Following a strong vote in the New Hampshire House of Representatives to move forward on the New Hampshire Health Protection Plan reauthorization bill, I am confident that the Senate Finance Committee will work hard to reinforce this legislation so that 47,000 low-wage earning citizens will continue to receive health care in our state and I urge their full support of this legislation.”
“This legislation reauthorizes the New Hampshire Health Protection Plan for a two year period, but also makes important reforms like including a work requirement require able-bodied, single adults to seek work or training to pursue employment if they are receiving healthcare under this program. It also continues to protect taxpayers by enabling only hospital and insurers to voluntary fund costs not paid for by the federal government, in addition to restricting the use of general funds or increased taxes to fund this program.”
“Amidst a serious heroin and opioid crisis in New Hampshire, this program has been essential to more than 6,000 individuals who have received substance abuse treatment when they need it most. The NHHPP has also driven down the hidden tax of uncompensated care by nearly $150 million in the past year and we expect that as the program continues, this savings will be even greater.”
“This legislation is a responsible, coordinated effort to continue providing health care to low-wage earners to help them transition to independence, while keeping the cost burden on the Federal Government and not New Hampshire taxpayers.”
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