Todd Bookman

State Hears Ideas For Launching Health Exchange

Todd Bookman — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:35:59 +0000

Health providers, small business owners and reform advocates attended a brainstorming session in Concord on Friday. State Insurance Department officials organized the event, seeking input on how best to implement the new health exchange in New Hampshire.

A range of ideas were offered, from social media campaigns to informational events at hardware stores to old-fashioned word of mouth. Participants stressed a need to reach all communities, including minority and non-English speaking groups, and to do so quickly.

Forty Years After A Murder, New Twist Could Set Man Free

Todd Bookman — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:14:35 +0000

On the night of February 27^th, 1971, dressed in a vintage fur coat, Susan Randall, met up with a friend for pizza. After leaving the restaurant, shortly after midnight, a woman fitting Randall's description was observed hitchhiking near Manchester’s Granite Square. Witnesses say a white car driven by a lone man stopped to pick her up.

Randall’s body, badly beaten and naked from the waist down, would be found two days later, thrown from a bridge onto the frozen Merrimack River in Concord.

Commissioner Says Money Will Put 'Flesh On The Bones' Of Health Exchange Outreach Effort

Todd Bookman — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:08:02 +0000

State officials continue to press for action on $340,000 in federal money meant to help implement the health exchange in New Hampshire.

Speaking to the Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee, Insurance Commissioner Roger Sevigny repeated the need for quick acceptance of the grant money. Last month, a different legislative body, the Joint Fiscal Committee, delayed the funds, citing concerns over a lack of information.

Estimated Tax Revenues Continue To Stir Budget Debate In Senate

Todd Bookman — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:19:41 +0000

While work on the state’s next two year budget continues in the Senate, the Medicaid Enhancement Tax (MET), a levy on hospital revenue, still sits in the spotlight.

MET collection is $34 million short of estimates for this fiscal year. In Monday's Senate Finance Committee meeting, lawmakers expressed concern about overly optimistic forecasts for the next two year cycle.

Bass Fishing Newest High School Sport In N.H.

Todd Bookman — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:56:35 +0000

This was no place for marching bands, pep rallies or cheerleaders. Fifty four teams, each composed of two students, met on the dark waters of Lake Winnipesaukee under threatening skies.

“I’ve got a spinning rod set up, I’m going to be fishing mostly spinners,” says Campbell High School Junior Connor Perry. “My other teammate is going to be fishing mostly some worms. See what works out today, got to see what they want.”

Group Looks To Counter 'Misinformation' About Refugee Resettlement Efforts In N.H.

Todd Bookman — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:44:37 +0000

Lawmakers and members of the public met in Concord today to learn more about refugee resettlement efforts in New Hampshire. The breakfast gathering was organized by Lutheran Social Services, a non-profit that offers new refugees a range of services including short-term housing and English-language training.

New Hampshire Not Alone In Health Exchange Setbacks

Todd Bookman — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:43:00 +0000

The new health exchanges are often described as something akin to Orbitz or Travelocity. A central place--a website--where insurance can be researched, compared, and purchased.

“Competition in markets, of course, is the way in this country we try to make reasonable prices and good quality available to people and so that is one of their roles,” says Professor Timothy Jost with Washington and Lee University in Virginia.

Jost says another key role of the exchanges is subsidies.

Pot Decriminalization Bill Snuffed In N.H. Senate

Todd Bookman — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:25:18 +0000

An effort to decriminalize a small amount of marijuana in New Hampshire was voted down in the Senate today. The legislation would have made possession of up to a quarter ounce a violation, subject to a $200 fine.

Senator Donna Soucy, a Democrat from Manchester, says the policy has merit with some lawmakers in the upper chamber, but the bill has serious technical flaws.

She pointed to a provision that anyone under 18 found in possession complete an approved drug awareness program. However, no such program exists in the state.

Proposed Ban On Private Prisons In State Defeated

Todd Bookman — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:08:23 +0000

On a 13-11 vote, the New Hampshire Senate has blocked a House-backed measure to prohibit private prisons in the state.

Senate Republicans killed the prohibition effort, saying that the legislature needs to be able to keep all options on the table. Senator Andy Sanborn told colleagues that private prisons can be more efficient, lowering overall corrections costs.

"I believe we have an obligation to prove to the tax payers of New Hampshire, every day, that we are trying to spend their money wisely."

White Potato Poised To Become State Vegetable

Todd Bookman — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:00:59 +0000

The state senate approved a bill Thursday declaring the white potato as New Hampshire’s official state vegetable.

The bill comes in recognition of the spring of 1719, when settlers in what is now the Town of Derry were the first to plant the tuberous vegetable in the new world.

Virginia had challenged that first-in-the-nation status, but the U.S. Potato Board has substantiated the claim and Virginia has since yielded.

The bill now heads to the Governor for signature.

State Officials Urge Caution When Foraging For Mushrooms

Todd Bookman — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:17:19 +0000

State officials are warning residents to be cautious when consuming wild mushrooms. The Department of Health and Human Services says only experts in wild mushroom identification should forage.

Sunshine Having An Impact On Drug Company Payments To Doctors In N.H.

Todd Bookman — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:45:45 +0000

As part of the Affordable Care Act, pharmaceutical company payments to doctors will become public information starting in 2014. But a slice of those disclosures is already available, and the impact of transparency is being felt across New Hampshire.

In the last four years, New Hampshire doctors and nurse practitioners have taken in $5.8 million in money from drug companies.

Senate Takes A Look At $2 Billion Budget For DHHS

Todd Bookman — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:07:31 +0000

Senate budget writers turned their attention Monday to the state’s biggest agency, the Department of Health and Human Services.

The proposed budget for DHHS comes in at just more than $2 billion. It seeks to restore the CHINS program and increase payments to hospitals for uncompensated care.

The budget also lays out $24.5 million over the next two years to shore up the state’s troubled mental health system.

Senator Lou D’Allesandro questioned if the state can wait that long for a fix.

Commissioner Nick Toumpas replied there really is no choice.

Prescription Drug 'Take-Back' Day In New Hampshire

Todd Bookman — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:22:55 +0000

On Saturday, New Hampshire citizens are able to turn in expired, unused or unwanted medication as part of Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Officials say drugs left unsecure in a home can lead to abuse and accidental poisonings. Environmental experts caution that pharmaceuticals can harm aquatic life if they end up in the water supply.

This is the 6^th take-back day in the state. Previous efforts have yielded more than 18,000 pounds of unwanted medication.

N.H. Residents Breathing Easy

Todd Bookman — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:36:05 +0000

A report out today from the American Lung Association says that New Hampshire’s air quality continues to improve.

The level of smog is falling in Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties. Both received a grade of ‘C’ this year compared to a ‘D’ in 2012.

Cheshire and Grafton earned an ‘A’, ranking them among the cleanest areas in New England. Coos County also saw its grade improve.