Democratic lawmakers are criticizing a Republican-backed alternative plan to Medicaid expansion in New Hampshire.
Earlier this week, GOP leaders said it is worth exploring a proposal that would use private insurance to cover an estimated 11,000 low income residents. They would have access to primary care and catastrophic protections, but would face a $6,000 deductible and a work requirement.
"It would cost our state almost $3 billion more, cover one-quarter of the uninsured people Medicaid would, and that poor coverage would cost these folks more than half their income," says Senate Democratic Leader Sylvia Larsen. "It makes no sense."
Larsen says members of her party are willing to explore a compromise to expansion as envisioned under the Affordable Care Act.
Any proposal would need the approval of both the Democratically-held House and the GOP-controlled Senate.
