NH House Panel Considers Medicaid Expansion Bill
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A House committee will decide next week whether to recommend passing a bill to use federal Medicaid money to pay for private health insurance for an estimated 50,000 poor adults.
The House Finance Committee on Tuesday will consider a Senate bill passed with bipartisan support that essentially creates a two-and-a-half-year pilot program providing coverage to eligible adults if the federal government approves using federal funds to pay for private insurance.
Supporters say the bill would improve the health of currently uninsured residents by providing access to affordable preventive and primary care. They say that would reduce the amount of uncompensated care provided by hospitals, which could help drive down premium costs and help struggling businesses.
Opponents argue the state's financial liability should be capped to protect taxpayers.
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