Author

Annmarie Timmins

Annmarie Timmins

Senior reporter Annmarie Timmins is a New Hampshire native who covered state government, courts, and social justice issues for the Concord Monitor for 25 years. During her time with the Monitor, she won a Nieman Fellowship to study journalism and mental health courts at Harvard for a year. She has taught journalism at the University of New Hampshire and writing at the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications.

State officials answer questions about Wellpath Recovery Solutions contract

Lori Shibinette, who helped lead state’s COVID response, to resign as DHHS commissioner

By: - July 13, 2022

Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette will be stepping down in December, with one year remaining of her four-year term. Her tenure as commissioner was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, workforce shortages, a mental health crisis, and vaccine politics. In a written statement provided by the department, Shibinette, who is on vacation this week, […]

State House dome and grounds

New law limits charges from long-term care providers

By: - July 11, 2022

Come September, private long-term care facilities must stop billing for rent and fees 10 days after a resident dies or their belongings have been removed from their room. Only Connecticut currently has such a law, said Brendan Williams, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Health Care Association. A bill signed by Gov. Chris Sununu […]

A sign for the Concord District Courthouse

Dozens still wait in ERs for mental health care but fewer released prematurely on technicalities

By: - July 6, 2022

If the state wants to hold someone against their will for emergency mental health treatment, it has three days after completing a petition to get approval from the circuit court. Too often it was missing that deadline, leaving judges no choice but to release people, even those considered dangerous to themselves or others, said Judge […]

With bill signings, state now provides basic oral health care coverage for adults on Medicaid

By: - July 1, 2022

New Hampshire came off the list Friday of the minority of states that don’t provide adults on Medicaid benefits coverage for basic oral health care, such as regular cleanings, fluoride, and x-rays.  Flanked by a crowd of oral health advocates and lawmakers from both parties, Gov. Chris Sununu signed two bills into law that will […]

90,800 Granite Staters could lose Medicaid coverage in October

By: - July 1, 2022

Between treatment costs for her kidney disease and his spinal surgeries, Shiloh and Denis Velez, both disabled and out of work, can’t afford to lose their Medicaid benefits. So, they didn’t tarry when they learned those benefits would cease if they didn’t recertify their eligibility with the state before the federal public health emergency ends.  […]

Nearly half of $12 million fund for municipal upgrades undisbursed, for now

By: - June 28, 2022

The state spent just over half of the $12 million it offered towns and cities for health and safety investments so far, but expects to award more even though the June 3 application deadline has passed.  Alex Fries, spokesman for the Governor’s Office For Emergency Relief and Recovery, which oversaw the program, said he expects […]

Manchester Community Health Worker program

Manchester rethinks community outreach: Multicultural, multilingual team does house calls

By: - June 28, 2022

Isaac Rugali holds an applied biology degree from the University of Rwanda and is a licensed medical interpreter. Nira Kandel has worked to combat human trafficking and aid displaced youth in Nepal, and has degrees in law, social sciences, and rural development. Biram Saidybah is a licensed mental health first-aid worker and certified recovery coach. […]

Gov. Chris Sununu

Sununu signs pair of bills related to vaccine mandates, vetoes ivermectin legislation

By: - June 27, 2022

Gov. Chris Sununu handed anti-mandate and pro-ivermectin advocates a mixed bag Friday.  He signed House Bill 1604, requiring state-run hospitals and county nursing homes to grant medical and religious exemption requests to their vaccine mandates, eliminating their ability to evaluate each request for merit.  He also signed House Bill 1495, which prohibits the state from […]

How does the end of Roe affect New Hampshire?

By: - June 24, 2022

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Friday to overturn Roe v Wade will leave the state’s 24-week abortion ban in place. It will also add even more fuel to the protests and fundraising drives abortion providers and advocacy organizations have launched in the last several weeks. Here’s what you need to know about how this decision […]

State to take questions on new forensic hospital during online session

By: - June 24, 2022

The state is holding its final public information session on a new $30 million 24-bed forensic psychiatric hospital Thursday before seeking bids for the project later this year or early next. The new facility, which will sit on New Hampshire Hospital grounds Concord will replace the current secure psychiatric unit within the state prison. It […]

New COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5 plentiful in the state

By: - June 22, 2022

More than 200 providers in the state are offering the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine for children ages six months to under 5, according to Health and Human Services. The department has published a map of pharmacies and community health providers also administering the vaccines. The Moderna vaccine for this age group is given in two […]

Picture of settlement form

Lawyers for hundreds of former YDC residents ask for abuse cases to be heard

By: - June 22, 2022

Attorneys representing nearly 600 former Youth Development Center residents in abuse claims against the state have asked a judge to move forward with litigation on 450 of those cases. They say their clients are proceeding with their lawsuits because they continue to distrust the settlement option offered by the state. The request comes as the […]