Complex Medicaid Expansion Calls for a Commission, Not a Quick Decision
NH State Senate
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
May 22, 2013
Media Contact:
Carole Alfano, 271.7585
Senate GOP Leader:
Complex Medicaid Expansion Calls for a Commission, Not a Quick Decision
CONCORD, NH – Following weeks of Finance Committee budget hearings, including extensive time spent on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget, Senate President
Peter Bragdon, R-Milford, announced tonight he will offer an amendment removing Medicaid Expansion from the state budget. Bragdon will instead support the establishment of a bi-partisan commission comprised of legislators, health care industry representatives and other interested parties to take a closer look at the impact the issue would have on New Hampshire over the next year.
Bragdon said, “The U.S. Supreme Court, in its recent ruling regarding the ACA, made it clear that states have the flexibility to either expand their Medicaid programs or not under this new and extremely complex federal law. As a result, New Hampshire should take the time to understand this complex and costly offer. The federal government is making many promises when it comes to helping states fund Medicaid expansion, but we have been disappointed before with these types of promises and need to be cautious. Furthermore, neither the information we have received from HHS nor other studies, are able to point to clear evidence to prove expanding Medicaid will lead to lower costs or improved health care outcomes. Given all this, I believe establishing a bi-partisan commission is our best course of action at this time to help answer these outstanding questions. It’s just the responsible thing to do for our citizens.”
The Senate President’s amendment, 2013-1898s, would appropriate $200,000 to fund an eight-member, bi-partisan commission charged with studying a number of aspects of Medicaid expansion including: purchasing insurance through private companies, identifying steps to expand state flexibility on program design, and weighing the impact of increased eligibility on providers, as well as other issues. The amendment also requires an interim report be issued by December 1, 2013, and a final report by December 1, 2014.
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Teens Robbed of I-pod/Cell Phone
MANCHESTER, NH- On Monday, February 11, 2013, at about 6:30 PM, Manchester Police responded to a Clay Street address for a report of a robbery. On arrival, they met with two 16 year old Manchester teens who reported they had been the victims of a robbery a short time earlier on Somerville Street, near Belmont Street.
According to the boys, they were walking in the area when they were approached by two men, one of whom demanded their belongings, indicating his companion had a gun, although no gun was observed.
One of the boys surrendered his I-pod Nano and Galaxy S3 cell phone and the men left. They were last seen leaving the area as passengers in an older, dark colored 4-door sedan operated by a third individual who was possibly wearing a red sweatshirt.
The first suspect was described as a white male in his forties, about 6’3” tall with a slender build and dark “stubble” on his face. He was last seen wearing a dark colored vest and a green “beanie” style hat. The second man, alleged to have possessed a gun, was described as a clean-shaven white male in his forties with an average height and build. He was last seen wearing a camouflage shirt and khaki pants.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Manchester Police Department at 668-8711. Anonymous tips for cash rewards can be made through Manchester Crimeline at 624-4040 or online at manchestercrimeline.org.
