Republicans turned back on 50k un- & underinsured N.H. citizens

To The Daily Sun,

I'm sure all of our Republican state senators are looking forward to a generous Thanksgiving holiday filled with friends, family and food.

It is unfortunate that they have chosen to be less than generous to nearly 50,000 N.H. residents who would have qualified for Medicaid coverage if N.H. expanded the state's plan.

These are individuals who will count themselves lucky if they have a turkey this Thanksgiving. These are the people who worry about a medical crisis costing them their home, not just their health. These are our neighbors who are forced to use the emergency room as their primary care physician because they cannot afford the alternative.

Senate Republicans had numerous options on the table to stamp Medicaid expansion with a N.H. brand, protect taxpayers from financial exposure, maximize the use of $2.5B in federal funds and keep individuals with employer-sponsored coverage on those plans. But they walked out on those options and turned their backs on 50,000 un- and underinsured N.H. citizens.

I wish I could believe these Republican senators will feel just an ounce of guilt as they sit down to a Thanksgiving feast, but I seriously doubt it.

Cathy Merwin

Meredith