Letter to Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services - Support State's Implementation of Program to Benefit Thousands

Letter

The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201

Dear Secretary Sebelius:

Governor Maggie Hassan will soon take an historic step and sign into law a bill that will expand Medicaid in the state of New Hampshire. I urge you to work expeditiously with the state to develop and approve a waiver that complies with the law.

The expansion of Medicaid in New Hampshire will extend insurance coverage to approximately 50,000 people in our state. Many of the New Hampshire residents who will benefit from the Medicaid expansion are hard-working adults who do not have other insurance options. For far too long, they have worried about the economic consequence of bankruptcy for serious illnesses. The expansion of the Medicaid program will bring them the security of good health coverage to get the care they need, when they need it.

Medicaid expansion is also a smart fiscal decision for the state of New Hampshire. As you know, the Affordable Care Act requires that the federal government pay for 100 percent of the costs for the newly eligible population through 2016, and then phases down its contribution to 90 percent by 2020 and beyond. It was estimated that New Hampshire would have received $2.4 billion in federal funding through 2020 if the state had expanded Medicaid beginning in 2014. These funds are an important economic boost to our hospitals and other health care providers who otherwise may not receive compensation for the services they provide.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter and I appreciate you working with the state to ensure a successful expansion of the Medicaid program.

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