Compact Takes Center Stage in NH Race
Compact Takes Center Stage in NH Race
The Health Care Compact has become a central issue in the governor's race in New Hampshire.
As reported here in March, the New Hampshire House of Representatives overwhelming passed legislation in favor of a health care compact by a veto-proof margin of 253-92. The bill is currently working its way through the New Hampshire Senate.
In a series of recent comments, candidates for governor of New Hampshire have increased visibility for the compact while elevating the issue in the coming elections. Kevin Landrigan of the Nashua Telegraph quotes Republican candidate Kevin Smith, who supports the compact:
The health care compact that is being proposed in the Legislature -- if approved by Congress -- would give New Hampshire the flexibility to make reforms to Medicare and Medicaid if it chose to do so.
The bill under consideration in the New Hampshire legislature would allow the state to take control over all Medicaid and Medicare spending from the federal government and fund the programs with block grants. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Maggie Hassan doesn't trust New Hampshire to manage its own health care programs:
I will stand strong against any plan – like this one – that takes health care away from the people who need it most.
Landrigan says the compact is taking "center stage" in the race. Hopefully, the campaign will shine a light on the compact and the overwhelming support it has received from New Hampshire legislators and lawmakers in other states.
