The Affordable Care Act: Implications for New Hampshire
The new health reform law will begin to improve a complex and hard-to-navigate health care system that has seen escalating costs. It will provide real relief to the increasing number of people who find themselves in situations where coverage is difficult or impossible to obtain or afford. And it will make inroads in improving the quality of care in our nation. While the Affordable Care Act will be improved over the years, to put it simply, we believe it is a good start; a substantial stake in the ground and the foundation from which we'll build as we strive to ensure that all people have access to quality health care. The good news is that there are immediate and future benefits to the State of New Hampshire, providing an exciting opportunity for our state to move forward its existing health-system improvements at an even faster pace.
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Reform Through the Endowment's Lens
The benefits and provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act are many, but how do they align with the Endowment for Health and its various themes and interest areas? While the new law is not a panacea for every social and health inequity, it is a solid foundation from which to start. Here, we examine how the new law will forward our foundation's work and how it will impact various populations and systems of care, including public health, mental health, social cultural issues and oral health.
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Governor Lynch Announces ACO/Medical Home Pilot
EH President James W. Squires, M.D., (far right) joined Governor Lynch, members of the NH Citizens Health Initiative, and health care providers as a new Accountable Care Organization pilot was announced on July 15.
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U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services' Region I Director, Christie Hager, Visits Endowment
EH President Jim Squires, M.D. (foreground) makes a point on public perception of health reform. EH VP and Chief Operating Officer Mary Kaplan (center) and US HHS Regional Director Christie Hager (left) look on.
The Endowment for Health hosted a visit from the Christie Hager, the newly appointed U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Region I director. Hager is responsible for all New England states and will be a key leader in helping to translate the federal Affordable Care Act to the region and to individual states as they implement reform. While in New Hampshire, Hager met with a group hosted by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in Manchester. In Concord, she met with a group of advocates as well as Endowment staff. She then attended meetings with NH Dept. of Health and Human Services Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas and Governor John Lynch. |
Endowment Holds Strategic Retreat
The Endowment's Strategic Planning Retreat was a truly thought-provoking day for staff, Board and Advisory Council as we heard from a group of respected health policy and advocacy organizations as well as leaders from New Hampshire government. Each group brought important and diverse perspectives on health-related advocacy and public policy capacity in New Hampshire. 
Health Policy Advisor Katja Fox from Governor Lynch's office talks about balancing the health interests of NH's people with various challenges and opportunities facing the state to reform our health system. 
Policy and advocacy leaders participated in a "fishbowl" discussion as EH staff, Board and Council observed along the perimeter. Pictured in the center of the circle from left to right: Tom Bunnell, Institute for Health, Law & Ethics; Steve Norton, NH Center for Public Policy Studies; and John Tobin, NH Legal Assistance.
Health and Human Services Commissioner Nick Toumpas shares his views on leading during challenging times and seizing opportunities to implement the new health law in the State of New Hampshire.
Deputy Insurance Commissioner Alex Feldvebel discusses the various regulatory strategies and policy opportunities being deployed at the Department of Insurance. |
