AGP Executive Report

Medicaid Coverage: A new New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute report warns that up to 29,000 residents could lose Medicaid by 2028 as work rules and more frequent eligibility checks take effect. Medicare Advantage: Coverage options are expected to be available in Coos and Carroll counties, but CVS Health and BMC will leave the state’s market, affecting more than 14,200 people. Rural Emergency Care: An $11 million federal investment will support rural EMS equipment, training and five new mobile health programs aimed at connecting people with care outside emergency rooms. Vaccines: Doctors say flu season is starting early and urge Granite Staters to get vaccinated; during a New Hampshire visit, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. again criticized the hepatitis B vaccine, which has figured in a state anti-vaccine bill. Obesity Treatment: A New Hampshire specialist says patients are distressed after the state ended Medicaid coverage of GLP-1 drugs when prescribed solely for obesity.

Medicare Coverage: Seniors in Coos and Carroll counties should have Medicare Advantage options available by Nov. 1, after Gov. Kelly Ayotte pressed federal officials to address gaps. Open enrollment runs through Dec. 7; CVS Health and BMC Health System are also leaving New Hampshire, affecting more than 14,200 people. Rural Emergency Care: A new $11 million initiative will fund equipment, training and resource-sharing for rural EMS providers, and add five mobile integrated health programs, including in the Concord area and North Country. Maternal Health: Two northern New Hampshire organizations received $119,705 to build community-based birth-worker and family-care networks, as rural maternity services continue to shrink. Flu Season: New Hampshire doctors say flu is arriving early and urge residents to get vaccinated now. Nursing Home Care: Dover’s Riverside Rest Home ranked first in New Hampshire and fourth in the Northeast among nursing homes with at least 150 beds in Newsweek’s 2027 rankings.

Maternal Health: Two northern New Hampshire organizations received $119,705 to strengthen rural pregnancy and postpartum care, including doula support and services for families affected by substance use. The grants come as maternity wards continue to close across the state. Flu Season: Flu cases are appearing earlier than usual, with Dartmouth Health reporting about two dozen so far. Doctors urge people who can get vaccinated to do so now, since protection takes about two weeks to build. Coverage and Costs: Medicare Advantage plans are set to leave New Hampshire, including plans from CVS Health and BMC Health System, raising concerns for members choosing coverage. A separate study found minimum-wage workers would need 58 weeks of pay to cover a typical hospital stay. Rural Care: Federal health officials have announced $11 million for rural health initiatives in New Hampshire.

Stark Fire: A man and two dogs died and a woman was seriously injured in an early Sunday house fire. Investigators believe a wood stove may have started the blaze and urge residents to maintain stoves and chimneys. Vaccine Policy: During a Concord visit, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. questioned the hepatitis B vaccine’s safety, after federal guidance changes helped inspire a New Hampshire bill to roll back the state’s infant vaccination requirement. Care Behind Bars: A federal inspection of FCI Berlin found staffing shortages, delayed medical care and limited access to rehabilitation programs. Caregiver Support: New Hampshire caregivers describe the strain of putting others first; a NAMI support-group leader emphasizes self-care, as Dartmouth Health develops a caregiver institute. Flu Season: New Hampshire doctors say flu is arriving early and urge residents to get vaccinated. Medicare Coverage: Medicare Advantage plans from CVS Health and BMC Health System are among those set to leave New Hampshire, potentially requiring members to find new coverage.

Vaccine Policy: During a Concord visit, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. again questioned the hepatitis B vaccine’s safety. New Hampshire lawmakers have cited changes to federal vaccine guidance in efforts to roll back the state’s infant vaccination requirement. Caregiver Support: A New Hampshire NAMI support-group leader says caring for yourself is essential when supporting a loved one. Nearly one in four U.S. adults provided care in 2025, and Dartmouth Health is building a caregiver institute. Rural Care: Kennedy announced an $11 million investment to connect paramedics with hospital doctors by telehealth, helping them treat some patients in the field instead of sending them to emergency rooms. Flu Prevention: With flu arriving early, New Hampshire doctors say now is the time to get vaccinated.

Rural Care: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced $11 million for New Hampshire mobile and telehealth emergency services, aimed at bringing care to rural residents and easing pressure on emergency rooms. Medicare Access: New Hampshire will have just three Medicare Advantage carriers in 2027, and one county will have none, as plans including CVS Health and BMC Health System exit. Prevention: Flu season is starting early, and NH doctors say now is the time to get vaccinated. Care at Home: A $20 million gift is launching Dartmouth Health’s home healthcare program, as the system also works to address rural hospice and palliative-care gaps. Hospital Costs: A study suggests a New Hampshire minimum-wage worker would need 58 weeks of earnings to pay for a typical hospital stay.

Rural Health: Federal officials announced $11 million for New Hampshire mobile and telehealth emergency services, aiming to let paramedics consult hospital doctors and treat more patients at home. Vaccines: During his Concord visit, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. again questioned the hepatitis B vaccine, as New Hampshire considers changing its infant vaccination requirement. Flu Season: State doctors say flu is arriving early and urge residents to get vaccinated now. Coverage Changes: New Hampshire is down to three Medicare Advantage carriers for 2027, with one county set to have none, narrowing options for some residents. Care at Home: A $20 million gift is helping Dartmouth Health expand home healthcare, while the system is also working to address rural hospice and palliative-care gaps.

Rural Care: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced $11 million for New Hampshire’s rural health services, including telehealth support for paramedics so some patients can receive care at home instead of going to emergency rooms. Medicare Coverage: Insurer exits will leave New Hampshire with three Medicare Advantage carriers in 2027, with one county having no general Medicare Advantage drug plan. Flu Season: Doctors say flu is arriving early and urge Granite Staters to get vaccinated now. Vaccine Policy: During his Concord visit, Kennedy again questioned the hepatitis B vaccine, as New Hampshire considers rolling back its requirement for newborns. Health Costs: A new study suggests a minimum-wage worker in New Hampshire would need 58 weeks of earnings to cover a typical hospital stay. Home-Based Care: Dartmouth Health received a $20 million gift to launch a home healthcare program, while the system is also addressing gaps in rural hospice and palliative care.

Flu Season: Flu cases are appearing earlier than usual in New Hampshire. Dartmouth Health recommends getting vaccinated now, since it takes about two weeks for protection to build. Medicare Changes: CVS Health and BMC Health System are leaving the state’s Medicare Advantage market for 2027, and Coos County will have no plans available. Statewide, three organizations will offer coverage, with enrollment projected to fall by more than 18,000. Hospital Costs: A typical five-day hospital stay in New Hampshire costs about $17,000 before insurance, a new report estimates. At minimum wage, paying that bill would take 58 weeks of full-time work. Home-Based Care: Dartmouth Health’s new home-care program, backed by a $20 million gift, aims to expand care at home; the system is also addressing gaps in rural hospice and palliative care.

Medicare Coverage: New Hampshire will have just three Medicare Advantage carriers in 2027. CVS Health and BMC Health System are leaving the market, affecting more than 14,000 enrollees, while Coos County will have no plans available. Hospital Costs: A study estimates a typical five-day hospital stay in New Hampshire costs about $17,000 before insurance — roughly 58 weeks of full-time work at the state minimum wage. Care at Home: A $20 million gift is backing Dartmouth Health’s home-healthcare program and caregiver institute, as the system also works to address rural gaps in hospice and palliative care. Health Policy: In a congressional debate, Maggie Goodlander declined to take a position on single-payer coverage, while Lily Tang Williams called for more consumer choice and competition; Goodlander backed restoring Affordable Care Act tax credits. Cannabis Research: A study involving Dartmouth researchers found that among 4,000 daily cannabis users, 30% did not meet criteria for cannabis use disorder and 3% met criteria for severe disorder.

At-Home Care: A $20 million gift is launching Dartmouth Health at Home, with at-home primary and palliative care and a caregiver institute designed to support families and improve rural access. Medicare Choices: New Hampshire will have just three Medicare Advantage carriers in 2027, and one county will have no plan available, limiting options for some older residents. Aging in Place: A settlement aims to help older people and residents with disabilities remain in their homes. Campus Mental Health: State health officials are backing Mental Health First Aid training at colleges and universities.

Home-Based Care: Dartmouth Health has launched a home-care initiative backed by a $20 million gift, including primary and palliative care and a Family Caregiver Institute aimed at supporting rural patients and caregivers. In-Home Services: A proposed settlement in a New Hampshire lawsuit would require the state to address gaps in Medicaid-funded care for nearly 4,000 older adults and people with disabilities, including helping participants find providers. Medicare Coverage: New Hampshire is down to three Medicare Advantage carriers for 2027, with one county reportedly left without an available plan; shrinking choices could leave some residents facing difficult coverage decisions. Pharmacy Oversight: The state Board of Pharmacy is proposing rules for the use of artificial intelligence in pharmacy practice. Drug Prices: A multistate coalition has reached settlements with three generic drugmakers over alleged price-fixing; people who bought generic prescriptions between 2009 and 2019 may qualify for compensation.

Food Access: Gather’s “Gus the Bus” starts serving Lamprey Health Care’s Newmarket center every other Thursday on Oct. 15, offering free produce and other groceries as food insecurity rises in New Hampshire. Medicare Choices: New Hampshire is down to three Medicare Advantage carriers for 2027, with one county set to have no plans, narrowing options for older residents. Cancer Screening: A Southern New Hampshire Health oncologist says breast cancer survival is far better than decades ago; routine screening can help catch the disease early, when five-year survival is about 99%. Home-Based Care: A $20 million gift is launching Dartmouth Health’s home healthcare program. Rural Health: GO-NORTH says it is cautiously optimistic as the federal government reassesses its rural health program. Coverage Risks: New Medicaid work requirements could put coverage at risk, a concern raised in reporting and commentary on the changes.

Food Access: Gather’s “Gus the Bus” starts bringing free groceries to Lamprey Health Care in Newmarket every other Thursday, with no financial information required; the service comes as food insecurity rises in New Hampshire. Early Detection: Southern New Hampshire Health’s oncology director says breast cancer survival is about 99% when caught at its earliest stage and urges routine checks for women over 40. Home Care: A $20 million gift is launching Dartmouth Health’s home healthcare program. Insurance Choices: New Hampshire is down to three Medicare Advantage carriers for 2027, and one county has no general drug plan, narrowing options for some residents. Seacoast Health Care: Developers say a 75,000- to 100,000-square-foot medical facility is under consideration at Newington’s Seacoast Landing, though its identity and plans remain undisclosed. Rural Health: GO-NORTH says it is cautiously optimistic as a federal review of the rural health program approaches.

Seacoast Care: A proposed 75,000- to 100,000-square-foot medical facility at Newington’s Seacoast Landing could anchor a new commercial hub, though its operator has not been named and the project is still in development. Care at Home: A $20 million gift will launch Dartmouth Health at Home, offering primary and palliative care and support for family caregivers. A pilot near Lebanon is expected to begin enrolling patients in early 2027. Rural Health Funding: New Hampshire is awaiting a federal review that could affect future payments from its roughly $205 million Rural Health Transformation award; continued funding depends on performance and compliance. Medicare Choices: Medicare Advantage options are shrinking in New Hampshire for 2027, with just three carriers statewide and one county lacking a general drug-plan option. People whose plans are ending should compare coverage during open enrollment, which begins Oct. 15. Diabetes Care: An opinion piece urges wider access to continuous glucose monitors, which track blood sugar around the clock and can alert users to highs and lows. Mental Health: A recent national report puts New Hampshire’s adult mental illness rate at 27.7% in 2023–24, among the highest in the country.

Medicare Coverage: More than 14,200 New Hampshire seniors will lose their Medicare Advantage plans as CVS Health and WellSense exit the market in 2027. Three organizations will remain, and affected members should choose a replacement by Dec. 7 to avoid an automatic switch to Original Medicare without supplemental coverage. Disability Care: An investigation into abuse and neglect in New Hampshire’s disability care system won two regional journalism awards. Its reporting helped spur a state law signed in July to strengthen protections, while Disability Rights Center–New Hampshire has launched its own investigation. Mental Health: A USAFacts analysis puts New Hampshire’s adult mental illness rate at 27.7% in 2023–24, the sixth-highest among states and Washington, D.C.