CONCORD, NH (June 26, 2025) — Yesterday, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-CD2) joined Protect Our Care New Hampshire for a timely conversation on the future of Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and access to health care across the Granite State. The event looked at how proposed federal budget cuts could affect care for tens of thousands of Granite Staters—especially those in rural areas.
Hosted by Jayme Simões of Protect Our Care NH, the discussion focused on the shifting narrative around Medicaid oversight, the consequences of unchecked corporate fraud, and what’s at stake for New Hampshire under the proposed GOP budget plan. The discussion raised urgent concerns about the potential closure of rural hospitals like Cheshire Medical Center and the broader impact on vulnerable populations, including older adults, veterans, people with disabilities, and families in underserved communities.
Proposed federal budget cuts targeting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would have dire consequences for New Hampshire, particularly for rural hospitals and the communities they serve. These cuts threaten to dismantle health care access for more than 180,000 Granite Staters currently enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, and could gut the Granite Advantage Health Care Program, which covers more than 60,000 low-income adults. Rural hospitals could be forced to close or drastically reduce services, cutting off critical care to older adults, veterans, and families who rely on local providers. The result would be longer travel times for emergency services, reduced access to maternity and specialty care, and increased financial strain on patients and providers alike—undermining the stability of New Hampshire’s entire health system.
During the conversation, Congresswoman Goodlander emphasized the devastating impact that the GOP’s budget bill will have on New Hampshire, and why she was a hard no, “I have met so many extraordinary people in our state who rely on Medicaid, who wouldn’t be here but for Medicaid. It’s also what I’ve heard from our healthcare providers who speak to the systemic impact and use two words to describe this bill: devastating and catastrophic. That is because these cuts are going to put so much strain on an already strained, particularly rural, healthcare system. In New Hampshire, we have so many extraordinary, hardworking healthcare providers who are already operating on razor-thin margins, who are giving their all to keep their operations up and running. We have critical access hospitals that are going to be put under stress like we’ve never seen before. Last week, I was in Claremont at Valley Regional Hospital, an extraordinary place that provides care to people all across Sullivan County. These cuts are going to be devastating, and we’re going to have to do everything we can to keep the doors open.”
The discussion concluded with a Q&A from attendees and a commitment from Protect Our Care NH and Congresswoman Goodlander to keep fighting for health equity, transparency, and meaningful federal investment in care infrastructure.
A full recording of the event is here.
