carol conforti-adams | Oppose SB134

Hello I am writing to express my strong opposition to SB 134, which would impose burdensome work requirements on the Granite Advantage Health Care Program, commonly known as Medicaid Expansion. This bill would create unnecessary barriers to health insurance for many vulnerable residents of New Hampshire. As a Human Services and Welfare Director for a town of 5,000, I work closely with clients who are employed in low-wage jobs but face significant challenges due to health or mental health issues. Many of them struggle to meet the proposed requirement of working 100 hours per month. Even in my own situation, as a 70-year-old living independently with quadriplegia, I work 80 hours a month to cover my shelter costs. While my circumstances may differ, the reality remains the same: arbitrary work requirements would unfairly penalize individuals who are already doing their best to contribute. The state cannot make health insurance inaccessible based on rigid rules that fail to account for individual circumstances. I frequently contact DHHS New Hampshire EZ to assist clients who are denied Medicaid or Granite Advantage Health Care Program coverage. If SB 134 is enacted, DHHS staff will be unable to make exceptions, leaving countless individuals and families without the health insurance they desperately need. This bill discriminates against people without understanding their situations. I have seen clients lose assistance simply because they exceeded eligibility limits by as little as $1. Many of my clients already spend 50–60% of their monthly income on rent alone. Adding work requirements would only exacerbate their struggles. SB 134 would require low-wage individuals to prove they complete 100 hours of qualifying activities each month to remain eligible for health coverage. Research consistently shows that such requirements lead to significant coverage losses, complicate access to care, and disproportionately harm those who need Medicaid the most. I urge you to oppose SB 134 and ensure that all Granite Staters have access to the health care they need and deserve. I also encourage you to consult with New Hampshire Municipal Welfare Administrators to gain insight into the challenges faced by residents across the state. Let’s not take a step backward. Please stand against SB 134 and protect the health and well-being of our community. Sincerely, carol conforti-adams