By GARRY RAYNO, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD — The fallout from passage of the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill” will hit home in New Hampshire with a 92 percent reduction — $5.54 million — in federal money for a program to help people find affordable health care insurance coverage.
The NH Navigators, an initiative of the Foundation for Healthy Communities established by the NH Hospital Association, offers free, unbiased advice for Granite Staters with public health insurance enrollment.
The organization announced Thursday that its in-person services will be significantly reduced beginning this month due to the reduction in federal money for the program to help state residents enroll through the health insurance marketplace established under the Affordable Care Act, which was approved by Congress and signed into law in March of 2010.
Along with the health insurance marketplace, the law provides help for individuals and families to sign up and explore their coverage and payment options for health insurance. And certified navigators can also connect those eligible to Medicaid coverage as well.
Officials said, although the federal government forbids releasing the number of people served, the program focuses on those who are hurting the most and have the greatest difficulty accessing health insurance.
Many state and federal changes are going to happen over the next two years and people need an expert to work on their behalf, they said.
The act also established the expanded Medicaid program, now called the The Granite Advantage Health Care Plan, for low-income adults aged 19 to 64 years old.
Since its inception, NH Navigator connected state residents with affordable, quality health coverage, offering one-on-one support through life’s milestones from growing families to job changes to unanticipated medical needs.
Program officials said despite upcoming changes, the program’s mission remains the same: to ensure that individuals and families across New Hampshire can access the health coverage they need.
Changes due to the reduction in federal money are:
- The NH Navigator team based in Concord will dissolve.
- In-person assistance will no longer be available.
- Services will shift to remote support via phone and virtual appointments.
What will continue includes:
- Free, unbiased help statewide through the Health Insurance Helpline at 1-877-211-NAVI (6284).
- Online tools and resources remain accessible at acanavigator.com/nh/home to guide users through coverage options and enrollment.
- Scheduled virtual appointments are available for more personalized support.
“While these cuts impact our staffing and capacity, they do not change our commitment to helping people across the state get covered,” said Peter Ames, Executive Director, Foundation for Healthy Communities. “We’re incredibly proud of the trust New Hampshire residents have placed in us over the years. Though our approach is shifting, our purpose remains unchanged.”
Navigators will continue to provide assistance to New Hampshire residents regardless of income, background or insurance status. Some delays may be expected due to limited staff, but the helpline remains open and committed to returning calls and helping as many people as possible, officials said.
NH Navigator encourages individuals seeking assistance to visit acanavigator.com/nh/home or call 1-877-211-NAVI (6284) to explore coverage options or schedule an appointment.
Foundation for Healthy Communities has been the prime provider for one year, and has four more years left on the contract. The nonprofit seeks to increase resources to provide consumers the services they need as health insurance can be very confusing, so it is critical that consumers have advocates to assist them, officials said.
The foundation is expected to lose $1.385 million dollars each year for the next four years for a total $5,540,000 reduction in the contract.
The Republican majority in Congress approved the bill with President Trump’s backing that slashed Medicaid by $1 trillion over the next 10 years, and failed to include current subsidies for lower income individuals and families using the health insurance marketplace that made insurance more affordable.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the changes in the bill will increase the number of uninsured people by 17 million by 2034.
Garry Rayno may be reached at garry.rayno@yahoo.com.