The Committee of Conference on the FY 2014/2015 Budget (HB 1 and HB 2) met until 3:30 AM on Thursday, June 20th to complete its work on the state budget that will fund state operations and programs for the period beginning July 1, 2014 and ending June 30, 2015.  The full House and Senate will meet on Wednesday, June 26th to vote on HB 1 and HB 2 as amended by the Committee of Conference, after which HB 1 and HB 2 will go to Governor Hassan for her action.

HB 1 and HB 2, as amended by the Committee of Conference, contain several provisions of particular interest to New Futures, our partners, and others interested in reducing alcohol and other drug problems in New Hampshire. 

• The Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Treatment Fund (the "Alcohol Fund").  Under the administration of the Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment (the "Governor's Commission"), the Alcohol Fund provides funding for substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Funding for the Alcohol Fund in the FY 2012/2013 budget was cut by 55% (to $1.547 M per year).  The Governor's Commission, New Futures, and the NH Charitable Foundation sought to increase funding for the Alcohol Fund in FY 2014/2015.  As a result of this effort,  the Governor's Commission received an additional $500,000 for prevention services ($250,000 in FY 2014 and $250,000 in FY 2015), increasing the annual appropriation to $1,797,000 (an increase of 16%).  Although still woefully short of the amount necessary to provide adequate support for prevention, treatment, and recovery services, it represents a positive step in the right direction.

• Medicaid Expansion.  The Committee of Conference on HB 1 and HB 2 was not able to reach agreement to allow New Hampshire to immediately expand Medicaid eligibility to the estimated 58,000 uninsured New Hampshire residents age 19 - 64 whose annual incomes are less than 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. The federal government will bear 100% of the cost of Medicaid Expansion through December 31, 2016 and no less than 90% of the cost in later years.   While we are disappointed that NH cannot immediately begin to implement the Medicaid Expansion we note that HB 1 and HB 2, as amended by the Committee of Conference,  do create a mechanism to move Medicaid Expansion forward though the creation of a commission charged to examine all aspects of the expansion.  The work of commission must be completed no later than October 15th so that  legislation to implement the Expansion can be introduced as soon as possible thereafter.  We look forward to providing support and assistance to the commission and to continuing our advocacy in support of the prompt implementation of Medicaid Expansion. 

 Questions?