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Q&A: Pediatrician talks worn-out workers, rejected funds, and vaccinating kids
With the first newly approved COVID-19 vaccines for children likely headed to New Hampshire this week, state officials are urging parents to make an appointment with their health care providers or visit one of nearly 150 pharmacy sites that have committed to vaccinating 5- to 11-year-olds. The news, delivered Thursday, came with a caveat: The […]
General Court website gets a much-needed makeover
It just got loads easier to find a bill, contact a lawmaker, and see the week’s legislative calendar. Ditto for finding a lawmaker’s voting record and getting to the House and Senate YouTube channels. The General Court website got quite the makeover this weekend. Lawmakers, lobbyists, and reporters will no doubt appreciate the improvements. But […]
Marketing firm talks clicks and impressions, but is it finding success getting people vaccinated?
In mid-October, the Manchester marketing firm awarded nearly $1.3 million by the state to boost New Hampshire’s vaccination numbers sent the state a performance report of the newest social media campaign: Ads had 619,736 “impressions” and 1,231 “clicks” on Facebook and Instagram in the first week. It’s the same proof-of-success evidence the state Department of […]
State joins lawsuit over vaccine mandate for federal workers
Attorney General John Formella made it official Friday: New Hampshire has joined nine other states in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for federal workers and contractors. “The state has made clear that the available COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and that every eligible person in New Hampshire is […]
Councilors approve marketing contract for former Lakes Region prison property
The state got the go-ahead Wednesday to start the process of selling the 220-acre former Lakes Region prison property under an unusual arrangement that bypasses typical state review and leaves decisions with the five-member Executive Council. And the two tenants on the site – the state’s backup 911 call center and Lakes Region Mutual Fire […]
$4.7 million for vaccination efforts approved by executive councilors
After rejecting $27 million in federal money for vaccine outreach at their last meeting, Republican executive councilors joined Democratic Councilor Cinde Warmington to approve a much smaller amount of $4.7 million Wednesday to help vaccinate 5- to 11-year-olds, who are expected to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as early as next month. That amount […]
Executive Council approves state’s plan to buy Hampstead Hospital with federal money
The Executive Council gave the state Department of Health and Human Services its final approval Wednesday to use $15.1 million in federal money to buy Hampstead Hospital to provide minors inpatient psychiatric care. Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette said the purchase, which includes nearly 100 acres, could be complete by the end of […]
Nominee for licensing board did not disclose his 2012 disbarment
This story was updated Oct. 27, 2021 at 2 p.m. following the removal of Timothy O’Meara’s nomination from the Executive Council. A nominee for a board that regulates the licensing of speech pathologists and hearing care providers was disbarred from practicing law in 2012, something he did not disclose in his application to the Office […]
Senate committee supports faster access to telehealth treatment for substance use disorder
One of the governor’s pandemic emergency orders allowed those with substance use disorder to get a prescription for medication-assisted treatment quickly via telehealth, without first waiting days or weeks to meet with a medical provider. It connected users with treatment the moment they decided to seek it, key advocates say, to success. When the emergency […]
Health care providers slam Executive Council for rejecting $27 million for vaccination efforts
Health care providers joined the chorus Monday condemning the Executive Council’s Republicans for rejecting $27 million in vaccine outreach. The providers pointed to a rise in cases among children and an understaffed health care network unprepared to deliver COVID-19 and flu vaccines, as well as booster shots, while also handling non-pandemic care like pregnancies and […]
The behind-the-scenes power of the state’s Executive Council is now at center stage
Running for Executive Council comes with two particular challenges: The districts are huge, and it takes a lot of explaining. “I always remember the quote from the Union Leader,” said Councilor Joe Kenney, who is serving his fourth term. “It said, ‘The Executive Council is the most powerful office in Concord that is least known […]
State given go-ahead to use $15.1 million in federal money to purchase Hampstead Hospital
This story was updated Oct. 22, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. after the Executive Council agenda was published. The Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee gave Gov. Chris Sununu and the Department of Health and Human Services the go-ahead Friday to use $15.1 million in federal money to purchase 111-bed Hampstead Hospital to serve as a children’s inpatient […]