Health

GOP Budget Writers Vote Down Medicaid Expansion

Todd Bookman — Thu, 23 May 2013 02:11:15 +0000

Saying there’s simply too much uncertainty, top Senate budget writers voted 4-2 against expanding the state’s Medicaid program on Wednesday.

Senate President Peter Bragdon (R-Milford) says he has concerns the Federal government won’t be able to meets its promises to fund the expansion long-term.

And he says it’s unclear if the program would even improve care for the uninsured.

State Hears Ideas For Launching Health Exchange

Todd Bookman — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:35:59 +0000

Health providers, small business owners and reform advocates attended a brainstorming session in Concord on Friday. State Insurance Department officials organized the event, seeking input on how best to implement the new health exchange in New Hampshire.

A range of ideas were offered, from social media campaigns to informational events at hardware stores to old-fashioned word of mouth. Participants stressed a need to reach all communities, including minority and non-English speaking groups, and to do so quickly.

Commissioner Says Money Will Put 'Flesh On The Bones' Of Health Exchange Outreach Effort

Todd Bookman — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:08:02 +0000

State officials continue to press for action on $340,000 in federal money meant to help implement the health exchange in New Hampshire.

Speaking to the Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee, Insurance Commissioner Roger Sevigny repeated the need for quick acceptance of the grant money. Last month, a different legislative body, the Joint Fiscal Committee, delayed the funds, citing concerns over a lack of information.

N.H. Panel Urges Action On Health Overhaul Funding

Associated Press — Sat, 11 May 2013 12:10:40 +0000

A committee advising New Hampshire on implementing the federal health overhaul law is urging state lawmakers to move quickly in accepting federal money intended for consumer assistance and outreach.

Addressing Mental Health Of Children Focus Of Rally At State House

Michael Brindley — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:08:36 +0000

About 100 people gathered at the State House Plaza on Thursday to highlight children’s mental health awareness.

Many there said more funding is needed to make sure children have access to proper mental health care.

Francine Gagne with the Greater Nashua Mental Health Center says children are often overlooked in the discussion about funding for mental health programs.

New Hampshire Not Alone In Health Exchange Setbacks

Todd Bookman — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:43:00 +0000

The new health exchanges are often described as something akin to Orbitz or Travelocity. A central place--a website--where insurance can be researched, compared, and purchased.

“Competition in markets, of course, is the way in this country we try to make reasonable prices and good quality available to people and so that is one of their roles,” says Professor Timothy Jost with Washington and Lee University in Virginia.

Jost says another key role of the exchanges is subsidies.

Sunshine Having An Impact On Drug Company Payments To Doctors In N.H.

Todd Bookman — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:45:45 +0000

As part of the Affordable Care Act, pharmaceutical company payments to doctors will become public information starting in 2014. But a slice of those disclosures is already available, and the impact of transparency is being felt across New Hampshire.

In the last four years, New Hampshire doctors and nurse practitioners have taken in $5.8 million in money from drug companies.

N.H. Residents Breathing Easy

Todd Bookman — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:36:05 +0000

A report out today from the American Lung Association says that New Hampshire’s air quality continues to improve.

The level of smog is falling in Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties. Both received a grade of ‘C’ this year compared to a ‘D’ in 2012.

Cheshire and Grafton earned an ‘A’, ranking them among the cleanest areas in New England. Coos County also saw its grade improve.

Money To Implement Portion Of Health Law In N.H. Put On Hold

Todd Bookman — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:16:08 +0000

State lawmakers today put off a key vote on whether to accept Federal funds meant to support a partnership health exchange.

Earlier this month, the Feds awarded the state’s Insurance Department $5.4 million to pay for implementation of the Consumer Assistance portion of the new health exchange marketplace.

But on an 8-2 vote, members of the Joint Fiscal Committee tabled the motion, effectively delaying use of the portion of funds allocated for this fiscal year, roughly $340,000.

Insurance Company Practice Of 'Fail First' Called Into Question

Todd Bookman — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:48:00 +0000

“I have Crohn’s Disease, I have diabetes, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and I had a stroke. From all of this, I am on medication for depression as well.”

Chalk it up to bad genes: Amanda St-Amour struggles with a lot of health conditions.

She’s 30, lives in Merrimack, and pulls out a small laundry basket full of pill bottles.

“Basically, I take about 1, 2, 3…15 pills a morning.”

Report: More Than 96,000 In N.H. Eligible For Health Insurance Tax Credits

Todd Bookman — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:29:49 +0000

A report out today estimates that 96,000 New Hampshire residents will be eligible for health insurance tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. The credits will be available starting in January, 2014, when the individual mandate kicks in.

Governor Creates Commission To Monitor Medicaid Managed Care Implementation

Todd Bookman — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:05:31 +0000

Governor Maggie Hassan announced today the creation of a new Commission to monitor the transition of the state’s Medicaid program to a managed care model.

The 11-person body includes public health experts, advocates for the disabled, doctors, as well as Donald Shumway, former Commissioner of DHHS, who will co-chair the group along with Mary Vallier-Kaplan.

State Republicans Push For More Input As Health Exchange Planning Takes Shape

Todd Bookman — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:24:48 +0000

With an October 1^st deadline looming, the state continues to move forward with implementation of a partnership health exchange. In agreeing to that partnership, state Republicans say they were promised input on a planning document called a Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU.

Knee And Hip Replacement Goes Robotic

Todd Bookman — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:26:00 +0000

It’s been two weeks since Bonnie Parker had her hip replaced.

She is 50, petite, a tattoo artist. So she’s no stranger to pain, but says the past few years have been really tough.

“I watched my mother suffer from arthritis, and she sat down one day and never got back up. And I found myself sitting down more and more and not getting up, and I thought, ‘No, I can’t do this.’"

Proposed Change In Dental Care Workforce Losing Steam

Todd Bookman — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 09:00:00 +0000

On Thursday, the New Hampshire State Senate is scheduled to vote on a bill that’s getting a lot of attention in the dental community. The measure would expand the role of some hygienists. Advocates say this could help increase access in the state, but dentists argue it’s a misguided solution for a problem that may not exist.