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Rural Health Advocates Warn of Shutdown’s Dire Consequences

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Rural health-care advocates are raising alarms regarding the ongoing federal government shutdown and its effects on health services in rural areas. The shutdown, compounded by previous funding cutbacks, threatens critical health programs and services vital for many families.

During a recent webinar hosted by Protect Our Care New Hampshire, advocates expressed concern over the lack of preparedness for potential health crises. “We’re at this risky point, there are large things that can happen and we’re ill-prepared to handle them at this moment,” stated Christin D’Ovidio of Putney Consulting. The uncertainty surrounding health services has prompted fears about the stability of rural communities.

The ongoing federal shutdown has already hindered assistance during the open enrollment period for Medicare, which began on October 15, 2023. This is particularly concerning as rising premiums and changing options threaten access to affordable health care.

Advocates highlighted the potential impact of the shutdown on programs such as Head Start, a preschool initiative, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to low-income families. Both programs rely on annual Congressional appropriations, and their continuation is uncertain if the shutdown persists into November.

State Representative Janet Lucas, a Democrat from Campton, shared a troubling example during the webinar. She recounted a recent case where a woman was hospitalized due to transportation challenges, highlighting the increasing distance to health-care facilities in Grafton County. “New Hampshire has been defunding some very important programs for so long; it cuts to the bone and beyond,” she said, underscoring the long-term implications of funding reductions.

The current shutdown centers around the cost of premiums for health care plans available through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Enhanced tax credits that help reduce these premiums are set to expire at the end of the year, leading to predictions of nearly doubling costs for many individuals. Last year, over 70,000 residents in New Hampshire utilized these tax credits to afford their ACA insurance.

The stalemate in Congress, with Democrats in the U.S. Senate refusing to support a short-term funding bill proposed by Republicans, has exacerbated the situation. The proposed bill did not include an extension of the enhanced tax credits, leaving many without the necessary support to sustain their health coverage.

Lucas emphasized the potential degradation of the health system, particularly in northern counties, due to the loss of the ACA program. “How, for example, will a woman be able to obtain normal routine prenatal care if she’s got to find transportation requiring a two- or three-hour drive?” she posed. The absence of adequate transportation and support services could lead to higher costs for the community as patients may resort to emergency care when their health deteriorates.

As concerns mount over the future of rural health services, advocates call for immediate action to prevent further cuts and ensure stability for families relying on these essential programs. The ongoing situation serves as a reminder of the fragile state of health care in rural communities, where the consequences of political decisions are felt most acutely by those who can least afford it.

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