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Lori Shibinette, who helped lead state’s COVID response, to resign as DHHS commissioner
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, […]
New law limits charges from long-term care providers
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 […]
Dozens still wait in ERs for mental health care but fewer released prematurely on technicalities
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
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
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
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 rethinks community outreach: Multicultural, multilingual team does house calls
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. […]
Sununu signs pair of bills related to vaccine mandates, vetoes ivermectin legislation
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?
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
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
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 […]
Lawyers for hundreds of former YDC residents ask for abuse cases to be heard
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 […]