Governor Hassan Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Health Care Expansion Bill

Statement

Following today's bipartisan Senate vote of 18-5 in favor of SB 413, legislation that would accept federal funds to expand access to health coverage, Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement:

"Today's overwhelming bipartisan vote in favor of health care expansion represents a critical step forward for our economy and for the health and financial well-being of our families. This fiscally responsible, bipartisan plan is a uniquely New Hampshire solution that will boost our economy, reduce cost-shifting on businesses and improve the lives of 50,000 hard-working people who deserve the security of health insurance.

"This measure will help us address long-standing healthcare challenges by reducing uncompensated care at our hospitals' emergency rooms, expanding access to cost-saving primary and preventive care, and providing substance abuse and mental health treatment coverage to thousands of people for the first time.

"The bipartisan plan underscores our continued commitment in New Hampshire to working through our challenges together, and I applaud President Morse, Senator Larsen and members of both parties for reaching across the aisle to achieve this progress. As is the case with any compromise, both sides demonstrated a willingness to be flexible and make difficult choices, and we will need to continue our bipartisan cooperation throughout the implementation process in order to maximize the benefits of health care expansion for our people and economy.

"With this bipartisan health care expansion plan, we have an opportunity to dramatically strengthen our state and help set the foundation for an even brighter future. I encourage the House, which has remained committed to expansion, to work quickly to pass this measure so that we can put this plan in action on behalf of the working men and women of New Hampshire."

Source