In order to manage the budget cuts that were made by the legislature last spring, DHHS is proposing a Medicaid rule change which will restrict program eligibility, and save about $300K per year. But this savings comes at a cost.

The Home Visiting NH program has been successful at "improving birth outcomes, parenting skills and ensuring the health and well-being of the child" for many expectant families and their infants across New Hampshire. This program has ensured women receive proper prenatal care and help navigating the myriad of service delivery systems in New Hampshire, the end result being that the women were healthier, their babies were healthier, and New Hampshire saved money on more expensive medical care and other interventions that might have been necessary had Home Visiting NH  not been available.

The eligibility is proposed to be changed from all first time mothers, to first time mothers under the age of 21. The proposed rule also limits the amount of Medicaid-billable services that can be provided to a family eligible for Child and Family Health Supports to the equivalent of three hours per year. The three hours includes the assessment that documents the family's needs to receive services. For the full text of Rulemaking Notice, click here. 

The Public Hearing is:

Tuesday, December 20th at 1 PM.

The hearing is at:

DHHS 129 Pleasant Street, Concord

Brown Building Auditorium

As this Proposed Rule Change moves forward, we need all NH CAN Partners to reach out to your networks. Ask consumers who have benefited from these services to notify Commissioner Toumpas of exactly what the program meant for them and the true cost of reducing eligibility for this program. Attend the Public Hearing, write a letter to DHHS, write letters to your local newspaper. What none of us can afford to do, is nothing! We must stand against the continued erosion of New Hampshire's vital social service infrastructure.

For more information or questions, please contact NH CAN Partners:

Becky Berk

Children's Trust

bberk@nhchildrenstrust.org 

or

Sue Watson

Family Resource Center - Gorham, Berlin

Sue.Watson@frcberlin-gorham.org 

466-5190 ext 303