Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander Joins New Hampshire Healthcare Leaders to Discuss Medicaid, Healthcare Access

CONCORD, NH — Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander joined healthcare providers, policy experts, advocates, and community leaders on Tuesday, June 16 for a roundtable discussion on the future of healthcare in New Hampshire, focusing on Medicaid, healthcare access, workforce shortages, behavioral health services, and the challenges facing rural communities.

Hosted by Protect Our Care New Hampshire at the League of NH Craftsmen in Concord, speakers included the mayor of Concord, Byron O. Champlin, along with representatives from community health centers, hospitals, behavioral health organizations, healthcare advocacy groups, and public policy organizations from across New Hampshire. The discussion examined the impact of over $1 trillion cut from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and what this means for patients, providers, hospitals, community health centers, and families across the Granite State.

Participants noted that healthcare affordability, workforce shortages, provider capacity, and access to care remain among the most pressing issues facing New Hampshire. Speakers expressed concern that cuts to Medicaid and the ACA and coverage losses will further strain an already challenged healthcare system, particularly in rural and underserved communities. An estimated 13,250 Granite Staters have already lost their Medicaid or CHIP coverage, and 4,313 have dropped their healthcare coverage due to skyrocketing premiums.

“Healthcare is not a partisan issue — it's a community issue. When I think about HR1 and the biggest cuts to Medicaid in American history, you are all living these cuts on the front lines,” Congresswoman Goodlander told the group. “The Fix It Act, which we passed through the House to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits — we’ve got to get it done in the Senate. You all are being asked to do more and more with less and less every day, every year.”

The discussion highlighted concerns about access to care for seniors, children, people with disabilities, individuals managing chronic illnesses, and those relying on Medicaid and the ACA.

Keliane Totten, CEO of Homecare, Hospice, and Palliative Care Alliance of NH said that delays in home healthcare services are increasing due to snags with prior authorization with Medicaid.

Healthcare leaders also discussed the challenges facing community health centers, behavioral health providers, and hospitals as they work to address workforce shortages while meeting growing demand for services.

Martha Dodge, Chief Nursing Executive Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services at Elliot Health System noted that the biggest drivers of this were a lack of primary care providers and a lack of insurance.

Speakers emphasized that strong healthcare systems are essential not only for individual health outcomes, but also for workforce development, economic stability, and community well-being.

Featured Participants

• Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander
• Byron O. Champlin, Mayor of Concord
• Kris McCracken, President, Amoskeag Health
• Sam Burgess, Healthcare Policy Director, New Futures
• Bob MacLeod, President, Mid-State Health
• Ken Gordon, President, Coos County Family Health
• Matthew Houde, VP of Government Relations, Dartmouth-Hitchcock
• Audrey Goudie, Executive Director, White Mountain Community Health
• Martha Dodge, Chief Nursing Exec and SVP of Patient Care Services, Elliot Hospital
• Steve Ahnen, President, New Hampshire Hospital Association
• Henry Veilleux, Partner, Sheehan Phinney Capital Group
• Keliane Totten, CEO, Homecare, Hospice, and Palliative Care Alliance of NH
• Ed Shanshala, CEO, Ammonoosuc Community Health Services
• Jeffrey Fetter, Representative, NH Psychiatric Society
• Kara Morse, Chief Administrative Officer, Riverbend Community Mental Health, Inc.

Learn more about the health crisis here.