Shaheen hears from those who rely on Medicaid in Laconia, where a third of residents are enrolled

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) listened to local leaders, health care providers and voters during a Medicaid Impact Tour roundtable discussion at Partnership for Public Health in Laconia on Tuesday afternoon. The discussion focused around how Granite Staters would be affected by cuts to Medicaid in the proposed state budget. On top of potential federal cuts to Medicaid, the Republican-majority New Hampshire Statehouse passed a budget proposal expected to reduced spending for the state Medicaid program by over $52 million, a 3% reduction to providers. One out of seven New Hampshire residents was enrolled in Medicaid in 2023, according to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, and 28% of Laconia’s population, or over 4,700 people, are enrolled. Proposed cuts could end New Hampshire’s Medicaid expansion program, Granite Advantage, which serves about 60,000 people. A consensus of nonprofit leaders at the table said much of their funding comes from Medicaid, and any reduction is likely to mean fewer services. Becky Bryant, chief executive officer of Lakes Region Community Services, said manages a $30 million budget, 87% of which comes from Medicaid. “This is not a luxury. This is not a nice to have,” Bryant said. “This is a necessity for a civilized nation.”