The Senate has voted to wait before deciding whether to extend the state’s expanded Medicaid program, also called the New Hampshire Health Protection Program.
Under the law that went into effect last year, the program will expire at the end of 2016. That’s the point when the federal government stops funding the entire expansion, dialing its contribution down to 90 percent.
In a bipartisan vote, the Senate tabled the extension in order to give more time to determine how the program is working.
About 37,000 New Hampshire residents are now enrolled in Medicaid. Senate Democrats said they would have preferred to extend the program now, but are pleased Senate Republicans agreed to continue discussions.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the Senate voted to wait "another year" before deciding whether to extend the Medicaid program.
