Providers, Public Urge Medicaid Expansion in NH

Hospitals, nurses, doctors and other medical providers urged New Hampshire on Tuesday to expand Medicaid to an estimated 49,000 poor adults under the federal health care overhaul law.

They told a special commission charged with making a recommendation to the Legislature by Oct. 15 that they are already treating many of the same people who would gain health insurance through expansion. Many go to hospital emergency rooms because they have no alternative now, they added.

"We see it both as a public health and economic imperative for our state," said Henry Lipman, speaking for the New Hampshire Hospital Association.

Lipman said a Lewin Group study done for the state last year used old information when it estimated hospitals would be better off financially if New Hampshire did not expand Medicaid.

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Source: SF Gate