Bradley: Pushes reauthorization
Yesterday the state Senate Finance Committee and members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing on H B 1 6 9 6, which reauthorizes the state’s Expanded Medicaid program. The hearing angered opponents who charged the bill, which would otherwise undergo a hearing at each committee before going to the Senate Floor, was being rammed through.
Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, Republican from Wolfeboro, urged the committee to support the reauthorization, saying quote:
“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.”
Sanborn: Numbers don’t add up
Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Senator Andy Sanborn, Republican from Bedford, whose committee was effectively bypassed by the hearing, disagreed with Bradley’s assessment of the bill. Said Sanborn quote:
“This proposal would allow hospitals and insurers to fund the portion of the program not covered by the federal government. I am concerned that because the hospitals and insurers are on the hook to continue this program, they will raise rates on businesses and those buying insurance or seeking medical care to cover the program costs.”
Sanborn also raised questions over cost saying, quote:
“The Federal Government (requires) free emergency care to anyone who needs it and the State of New Hampshire reimburses hospitals for this care. With implementation of Medicaid expansion, this uncompensated care only fell by $22 million, yet the state spent $250 million in additional money to facilitate this program. Next year, uncompensated care is not projected to decrease at all, yet state contributions increase to $450 million.”
Avard: Other priorities
Senator Kevin Avard, Republican from Nashua, added quote:
“Seeing the State fail in its obligation to help those in need on the Developmental Disabilities wait-list, mental health and (addiction) issues, spending $450 million to provide free health insurance to able-bodied adults is the wrong priority for New Hampshire.”
Reagan: No protections
Senator John Reagan, Republican from Deerfield, chimed in saying, quote:
“I am disappointed that there are no financial protections for taxpayers and despite claims this plan does not raise or create new taxes, the costs to continue the NH Health Protection Plan will be passed along in higher insurance rates and health care costs…Our efforts should be focused on cutting health care costs for everyone and not on giving free health insurance to able-bodied, childless adults.”
News from our own backyard continues after this.
Memorial wins regional championship
Manchester Memorial High School’s FIRST Robotics team won its first ever championship banner competing in the North Carolina District FIRST Robotics contest over the weekend. Memorial’s Cruisin’ Crusaders will celebrate their accomplishment today at the school with the help of FIRST Robotics at an assembly where they will raise their banner this morning at 10. Our congrats to the Cruisin’ Crusaders!
Bartlett Elementary School: St. Gelais named principal
The Goffstown School Board unanimously approved the nomination of Gerri St. Gelais as Bartlett Elementary School’s new principal. St. Gelais will replace Principal David Bousquet on July first. Bousquet is retiring after seventeen years. Superintendent Brian Balke said he is a great principal and a dedicated educator who created and nurtured a school environment that is warm and welcoming to families. Balke said Bousquet will be dearly missed and wished him the best in retirement.
Goffstown School Board Chair Dian McCarthy said the school board was pleased to welcome St. Gelais back to Goffstown. Quote:
“Mrs. St. Gelais is committed to creating a positive school environment where students and staff are valued and reach their full potential.”
Forrester: Running for governor
From the campaign trail, it looks like District Two State Senator Jeanie Forrester, Republican from Meredith, will enter the governor’s race. The fifty seven year old Forrester is serving her third term in the senate and chairs the Finance Committee. Her entry into the race brings to four the number of G O P candidates in search of their party’s nomination. District Three Executive Councilor Chris Sununu, Wilton State Rep. Frank Edelblut and Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas have already declared their candidacies.
Sanders: Has creepy resemblance to Snow Miser
Also from the campaign trail, Hilary Clinton “felt the Bern” yesterday. While she won big in Arizona, she got trounced in Idaho and Utah by rival Bernie Sanders, who made campaign stops in California yesterday. Inasmuch as California is the last primary of the election, observers believe Sanders’ appearances there were a message to Clinton and the Democratic Party and that was they’re in it until the end.
Trump: Thumps
On the Republican side, despite finishing a distant third in Utah, where he received just fourteen percent of the vote to Senator Ted Cruz’s sixty nine percent and Governor John Kasich’s seventeen, Donald Trump extended his delegate lead by another eighteen over second place Cruz; having handily won the big prize of the day, Arizona. Trump thumped Cruz and Kasich, winning more than forty seven percent of the vote. Cruz garnered just under twenty five percent. Kasich received ten.
That’s news from our own backyard, Girard at Large hour ___ is next!
