Those with least amount of resources will be pushed into crisis

To The Daily Sun,

Last year, Gov. Hassan and a bipartisan group of legislators led the way in establishing the Medicaid expansion program that is now providing nearly 40,000 Granite Staters access to health care. Since then, we've seen very positive trends in insurance rate costs and a report by the New Hampshire Hospital Association stating that significant reductions in the number of uninsured individuals seeking treatment in emergency rooms. Despite its success, House Republicans are putting politics ahead of the people of New Hampshire and are refusing to continue the program, which would leave 40,000 Granite Staters without health coverage and no alternative in sight.

Sadly, Medicaid expansion is just the start. A litany of additional dangerous cuts is going to negatively impact the lives of New Hampshire's most vulnerable residents. Our elderly will see cruel reductions in vital services like Meals-on-Wheels. In the middle of an opioid crisis, we're now facing cuts to drug alcohol prevention programs as well. To top it off, the state agency charged with assisting our disabled citizens is facing $50 million in cuts which will be devastating.

In total, Republicans want to cut hundreds of millions from the Department of Health and Human Services. Over these past weeks, we've seen drastic cut after drastic cut. It's become all too clear that the budget Republican lawmakers are pushing will push those with the least amount of resources into an economic and health crisis.

Paula Trombi

Meredith