Instead of pushing for more people to be disenrolled from their Medicaid coverage, Governor Sununu should spend his time working with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra to get Granite State kids and families the healthcare they need,” according to House Democratic Leader Rep. Matt Wilhelm (D-Manchester).
Secretary Becerra sent a letter to Gov. Chris Sununu offering to work with him to ensure comprehensive health coverage for New Hampshire children. New Hampshire is in the top 10 states with the largest number of children who lost Medicaid coverage since the end of the continuous enrollment enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leader Wilhelm added that, “last December, Governor Sununu pushed for the end of continuous Medicaid coverage when, at that time, over 69,000 Granite Staters were at risk of losing their healthcare. A year later, we know that nearly 20,000 children are among those who lost Medicaid coverage. Adequate medical and dental coverage is essential care to help kids grow into their full potential -- and absolutely no child in New Hampshire should be without it.
Fortunately, relief may be on the way January 3rd, when the House will vote on HB 601, a bill that would allow the state to participate in the Medicaid Direct Certification program – a bill that goes hand in hand with provisions suggested by Secretary Becerra to make Medicaid renewals easier for families so fewer Granite Staters are disenrolled from critical medical coverage and can access the services they need,” reported Rep. Mary Jane Wallner (D-Concord), Ranking Member on the House Finance Committee.
While House Republicans on the Finance committee voted to kill legislation to help our kids get the proper nutrition to thrive in school, House Democrats will strongly vote to pass this measure along to the Senate to ensure Granite State children do not go hungry during the school day by using enrollment data to identify kids eligible for free and reduced lunch. According to NH Hunger Solutions, nearly 200,000 children in New Hampshire live in households that lack sufficient food.