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Fiscal committee approves use of $22.5 million in federal funds for vaccination efforts
New Hampshire is no longer the only state in the country to reject millions in federal money for its vaccine program. The Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee on Friday voted, 6-4, to give the state Department of Health and Human Services the last approval it needed to spend $22.5 million to enhance its vaccine registry, manage […]
$17 million proposal for student debt relief is tabled
Lawmakers put a pause on a proposed $17 million student debt relief program Friday until the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery can tell them more, including who would be eligible, what industries would be targeted, and how they’ll sustain a program started with one-time federal money. Taylor Caswell, executive director of GOFERR, told […]
$17 million sought for student debt relief, but few eligibility details offered
A $22.5 million request for vaccine rollout and outreach isn’t the only agenda item raising questions ahead of Friday’s Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee meeting. The Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery is asking for $17 million in federal pandemic money for a new student debt relief program but has given the committee no details […]
Safety grades for 13 of state’s hospitals are in, and three received Ds
This story was updated November 17, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. to correct the attribution of a quote. A national nonprofit that grades hospitals on nearly 30 safety measures has given the 13 hospitals it reviewed from New Hampshire passing grades, but three earned Ds. However, those low scores may be due, in part, to a […]
House committee passes amendment blocking businesses from mandating vaccines
A late amendment that would disallow private businesses from mandating vaccines and expand vaccine exemptions to include natural immunity and philosophical objections passed the House Education Committee Tuesday, 11-8, with the support of one Democrat, Barbara Shaw of Manchester. The vote followed a nearly five-hour public hearing in which most speakers supported the legislation. While […]
Amendment aims to expand exemptions from vaccine requirements
This story was updated November 15, 2021 at 2:45 p.m. to include a comment from the governor. Lawmakers will hold a public hearing Tuesday on an amendment that would not only add private employers and schools to those disallowed from requiring vaccines but also create a conscientious objection exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine. That last […]
Study committee issues recommendations on medical intervention and immunization laws
After six days of testimony from state officials, health care leaders, business organizations, and more than 50 members of the public, a legislative study committee charged with looking at medical intervention and immunization laws has two recommendations for lawmakers. Employers, its report said, should be required to grant any request for a medical, religious, or […]
Opponents of $22.5 million vaccine contract blast ‘underhanded’ Executive Council vote
The vaccine and mandate protesters who took credit last month when the Executive Council’s Republicans rejected a $22.5 million federal vaccine contract were surprised and unhappy to learn on Twitter Wednesday that most of those Republicans had reversed themselves. And not only because their victory was short-lived. The contract wasn’t on the public agenda or […]
Attorney general signs on to lawsuit challenging vaccine mandate for health care workers
This story was updated November 12, 2021 at 11:15 a.m. to correct the spelling of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. Attorney General John Formella announced Wednesday that he will join a third multi-state lawsuit challenging federal vaccine mandates, this time the mandate for health care workers. “The available COVD-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and the state understands […]
Three Republican councilors change votes, support $22.5 million for vaccine efforts
Three of the Executive Council’s Republicans who helped defeat $27 million in federal contracts for vaccine distribution last month – a move condemned by Gov. Chris Sununu and health care providers – reversed course Wednesday. Councilors Joe Kenney, Janet Stevens, and David Wheeler joined Councilor Cinde Warmingon, the council’s lone Democrat and only member to […]
Mr. Sununu won’t go to Washington: Governor’s decision shakes up political landscape
In retrospect, perhaps Gov. Chris Sununu’s announcement Tuesday – that he will seek a fourth term as governor rather than try to unseat Sen. Maggie Hassan – shouldn’t have been a surprise. As often as Sununu has said he loves his job, he’s derided Congress as ineffectual and a place where doing nothing is called […]
Medical intervention committee meeting draws dozens, most opposed to vaccines or mandates
The number of empty seats in the “mask required” section was a good indication of where the testimony was headed at Monday’s legislative meeting on medical intervention: Just a few seats were taken. Nearly 60 people turned out for a public input session before the Committee to Examine the Policy of Medical Intervention Including Immunization, […]