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Health Policy Experts Discuss the Impacts of Federal Health Care Cuts on New Hampshire
Speakers Warn: Cuts Could Shut Down Rural Facilities Like Franconia Health Center, Increase Costs for Families and Businesses
CONCORD, NH — Today, Christin H. D’Ovidio, Founder and Principal at Putney Consulting LLC, and Sam Burgess, Health Care Policy Coordinator at New Futures, joined Protect Our Care New Hampshire to take a look at the potential consequences of newly passed federal legislation that includes sweeping cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Watch the full event here
The event focused on the serious local impact these changes could have on Granite Staters. Health policy experts highlighted that hospitals and clinics across the state — including the recently announced closure of the Franconia Health Center — are at risk due to rising costs and declining federal support. Thousands of residents may lose access to local care, forcing them to travel longer distances and placing added pressure on emergency rooms and regional health systems.
Speakers emphasized that small businesses, families, pregnant women, and health care workers — especially in rural areas — will likely feel the most immediate strain. These cuts come as ACA premiums are already projected to rise significantly in 2026. According to KFF
enhanced premium tax credits that make coverage more affordable will expire at the end of 2025, driving up out-of-pocket premium payments by over 75% on average.
Find out what's happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“If these policies go into effect as written, New Hampshire could see the unraveling of years of work to expand access to care,” said Christin D’Ovidio. “The consequences would be widespread, from health outcomes to economic stability.”
“Communities like Franconia are the canary in the coal mine,” said Sam Burgess. “When local health centers close, the ripple effects are devastating — for families, health workers, schools, and employers. This is not just a health care issue; it’s a community issue.”
Find out what's happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We need federal policy that supports—not undermines—local health care,” said Jayme Simoes from POC NH. “These cuts would pull the rug out from under New Hampshire’s most vulnerable residents and destabilize rural health infrastructure at a critical time.”
This virtual briefing is part of a national effort to spotlight how health care cuts will impact real people, real communities, and local economies.
Watch the full event here
