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State to use $6 million to bring COVID-19 vaccines to communities and homebound Granite Staters
With final state approval in hand, the Department of Health and Human Services plans to use $6 million in federal pandemic money to bring COVID-19 testing and vaccines to Granite Staters’ neighborhoods and homes. The money will allow the department to send three mobile vaccination vans into communities, providing not just vaccines and boosters but […]
State aims to help birthing centers, midwives with rising malpractice insurance premiums
The state’s five birthing centers and home birth midwives may be getting state assistance to help with a significant spike in their malpractice insurance premiums, a jump they say threatens their ability to stay open. One provider saw its premium jump by $40,000 a year, a 250 percent increase, and the owner of the Concord […]
New hospital would add over 100 beds for psychiatric and substance misuse care
The Department of Health and Human Services has received initial approval to provide SolutionHealth, which owns Elliot Hospital in Manchester, $15 million in federal money to build a new behavioral health hospital. The facility would add more than 100 new treatment beds for children and adults struggling with mental illness and substance misuse. This is […]
As Sununu endorses Morse for U.S. Senate, analysts ask: Will it matter?
This story was updated on Sept. 9 at 7:26 a.m. to add a response from Brig. Gen. Don Bolduc’s political director, Jimmy Thompson and on Sept. 10 at 3:30 p.m. to correct Steve Duprey’s length of time as chair of the state Republican party. Gov. Chris Sununu endorsed Senate President Chuck Morse for U.S. Senate […]
Grant to allow NH Legal Assistance to expand its work with domestic violence survivors
This headline was updated on Sept. 8, 2022 at 10 a.m. to clarify the use of the grant money. New Hampshire Legal Assistance has long helped survivors of domestic violence navigate the legal system, including obtaining restraining orders, child support, and parenting plans when someone cannot afford an attorney. The agency says a new grant […]
Attorney general’s “major” changes to YDC settlement plan clear final vote
A new framework approved by lawmakers Tuesday will allow the state to begin settling claims in January with hundreds of people sexually and physically abused while at the state’s former Youth Development Center. The vote came after Attorney General John Formella made what he described as “major” changes to address lawmakers’ concerns. But Democrats on […]
$35 million in federal aid helps Colebrook glove maker expand but not avoid 170 layoffs
A federal watchdog agency warned last year that American companies that had received $10 billion to quickly expand production of gloves, masks, and gowns would suffer without guarantees their products would be purchased domestically over cheaper imports from Asia. That warning proved true in Colebrook. American Performance Polymers, which received $35 million to ramp up […]
Report outlines the many challenges for Granite State workers – especially women
Since the pandemic, women have left the workforce at a higher rate than men, in part because there continues to be a shortage of affordable child care, according to a new report from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute. In addition, the industries that have a higher percentage of female workers are recovering more slowly […]
Federal government to end free at-home COVID test program this week
Those who planned to order their free COVID-19 tests from the federal government but never did shouldn’t tarry. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday that it will suspend the program Friday, citing funding. Tests and testing remain available throughout New Hampshire at pharmacies and medical offices but not through the mail. […]
Conservative group targets health providers for making abortion referrals
The state Family Planning Program’s four remaining providers, which provide low-cost reproductive health care, do not perform abortions. But a Christian advocacy group wants them defunded because they can refer patients to providers who do. In a series of recent tweets, Cornerstone applauded Executive Council Republicans for rejecting family planning contracts with Planned Parenthood of […]
Insurance Department returns $2.3 million to wronged consumers, levies a record $371,000 in fines
The New Hampshire Insurance Department more than doubled the amount of money it returned to consumers over last year, securing $2.3 million primarily from insurance companies that denied claims or overcharged consumers. It also levied a record number of fines against insurers and insurance agents. The department’s assistance to Granite Staters is free but it […]
Proposed changes to religious exemption form for school vaccine mandates draw pushback
Under a new state law, the Department of Health and Human Services has dropped its requirement that parents get a notary’s signature when they submit a form exempting their child from school and child care vaccine mandates for religious reasons. But the department is proposing new requirements that have angered the law’s prime sponsor and […]