Nancy Cassidy

Hello, my name is Nancy Cassidy. I am here today in support of SB 550. For years, I wanted to see a Naturopath Dr., but being on NH medicaid, it didn't allow me to. In 2016, I had emergency surgery at a local hospital. Nearly 7 months later, I was admitted to this same hospital for yet another surgery. It turned out that the 1st surgery was a case of medical malpractice. I almost died at the hands of the same hospital that brought me into this world. After what I went through, I knew I had to seek out alternative care because Western medicine had almost ended my life. So, I searched and found Dr. Michelle Haff and began seeing her in February of 2020. At this time, I was paying out of pocket for me AND my twins, and it was expensive, but to me, it was worth it after all we had been through. For nearly 7 months, I paid out of pocket any time we needed to see her. I ended up getting married, and my husband's PRIVATE INSURANCE allowed me to see Dr. Haff more frequently. After YEARS of being dismissed by traditional doctors about my thyroid, Dr. Haff tested my thyroid and discovered I had Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disorder causing hypothyroidism. Without naturopathic care, I don't believe this would have ever been discovered. Having my private insurance cover naturopathic care has also allowed me to have acupuncture sessions multiple times a month, as Dr. Haff is also a certified acupuncturist. This has helped me with pain, anxiety, depression, and has even lightened up my abdominal scar left from the 2017 surgery. Without my private insurance covering naturopathic care, I could've never afforded to have so many visits with my Dr. I am now divorced and will lose my current private insurance at the end of 2027, but I will be looking for new insurance that I hope will cover my visits with my naturopathic Dr because you chose to sign this bill into law. Thank you Nancy Cassidy Allenstown NH