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Medicaid Commission To Vote Next Week On Recommendation

Members of the special commission studying whether to expand Medicaid in New Hampshire continue to hash out their differences in the face of a looming deadline.

The nine-member commission spent much of Wednesday’s meeting debating a plan that seeks to limit reliance on traditional Medicaid. Under the proposal put forward by Representative Thomas Sherman [D-Rye], anyone earning less than roughly $15,000 a year that has employer-provided insurance right now would stay with that plan, with Medicaid covering out of pocket expenses. Low income individuals currently without insurance would be enrolled in managed Medicaid. Those earning enough to qualify for subsidies under the federal health law would get their coverage through the new marketplace.

Under the proposed deal, there would be a circuit breaker provision included. If the federal government fails to meet its funding promises, the legislature would have to reauthorize the expansion.

The commission is still debating if or how to include other triggers relating to total cost to the state. Members will restart that discussion next Tuesday, and likely vote on a recommendation. Any plan will then need the approval of lawmakers in the Democratically-held House and GOP-controlled Senate.    

Todd started as a news correspondent with NHPR in 2009. He spent nearly a decade in the non-profit world, working with international development agencies and anti-poverty groups. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University.
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