New Hampshire Public Health Association

11/04/2025

Most Medicare Advantage plans being phased out in Vermont and New Hampshire
Open enrollment period allows recipients to choose new coverage

Vermont and New Hampshire residents face confusion and turmoil as Medicare Advantage plans are discontinued, leaving them seeking alternative coverage options.

11/03/2025

The federal government shutdown continues without an end in sight. In just a few days, tens of millions of people are at risk of losing federal food and nutrition benefits as a result. This includes the nearly 42 million people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, previously known as food stamps.

The Trump administration has warned that the debit-like EBT cards will not be refilled and that the program will run out of money on Nov. 1.

SNAP, the country's largest anti-hunger program, dates back to the Great Depression and has never been disrupted this way. Most recipients are seniors, families with kids and people with disabilities.

As November looms, states are trying to sort what options they can offer beneficiaries to fill the gap in food assistance. Reporters from the NPR Network are covering the impact of this potential lapse in states across the country.

10/31/2025

The American Foundation for Su***de Prevention has announced the upcoming launch of our newly developed education program, Talk Saves Lives: Supporting Our Veterans. This is a free, 60-minute presentation for audiences to learn about the impact of su***de among veterans, along with practical ways to recognize warning signs of su***de, navigate tough conversations, and connect veterans to support in ways that respect their autonomy.

After attending Talk Saves Lives: Supporting Our Veterans, participants will:
Learn the impact of su***de on the veteran population
Identify contributors to veteran su***de, as well as protective factors
Learn how to recognize su***de warning signs in veterans
Gain confidence in starting a conversation with someone who may be in distress
Understand ways to seek and offer support and resources for veterans



The AFSP National Premiere presentations of Talk Saves Lives: Supporting Our Veterans will take place virtually:
11a.m. ET on Wednesday, November 12, 2025
7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Register at the link below to receive a Zoom link for either of the above presentations.

10/31/2025

‘I have a lot of dreams to achieve’: Inside one effort to address NH’s nursing shortage

Learn how the International Institute of New England's free program is addressing New Hampshire's nursing shortage and helping immigrants find better jobs.

10/30/2025

Angelina Leo, an Exeter High School senior, said that without the special education services she received throughout her time in school, she wouldn’t even be able to speak.

Leo, who has physical and learning disabilities, sees herself as an example of why special education works. She can now read and write. She also has siblings who have benefited from special education. That’s why when she heard about cuts and changes to the federal Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, she was “peeved.”

“And then I was scared,” she said Monday at a demonstration in Concord opposing the changes. “Because what does that mean for me going into college, and what does that mean for my younger siblings, some of which need more help than I needed?”

Angelina Leo, an Exeter High School senior, said that without the special education services she received throughout her time in school, she wouldn’t even be able to speak.

10/29/2025

Even as national vaccine guidance continues to evolve, one thing is clear for New Hampshire residents: COVID-19 vaccines are still widely available for most people. Staying up to date on your vaccination is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself, your family, and your community from the negative impacts of illness.

What does the Law Say? (No eligibility restrictions as of October 2025)

Previously, people between 6 months and 65 years needed to have a qualifying health condition to be eligible for a vaccine. This created confusion about which conditions were included because the rule was not interpreted the same way across states or providers. According to the latest CDC guidance released in the first week of October (2025), everyone aged 6 months and older, including pregnant people, may receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine as long as they’ve had an interaction with a health-care provider. https://www.nhpha.org/blog/covid-19-vaccines-still-available-for-most-granite-staters

10/24/2025

Each October, New Hampshire joins the nation in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) — a campaign led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). NDEAM celebrates the vital contributions of America’s workers with disabilities while also spotlighting the importance of building inclusive workplaces.

This year’s observance is an opportunity for employers, policymakers, and communities across the Granite State to reaffirm their commitment to equal opportunity, inclusive hiring, and accessible workplaces. People with disabilities are innovators, leaders, and dedicated professionals across every sector of our economy. By fostering environments where everyone can thrive, we strengthen not only our workplaces but also our communities.

Employment opportunities are central to independence and dignity.

10/23/2025

Fewer options, more confusion for Medicare enrollment in New Hampshire this year

https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2025-10-22/medicare-advantage-plans-leave-nh-open-enrollment-healthcare-seniors-health-insurance-medicare-part-d?fbclid=IwY2xjawNnRoVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHrRnaoBtxdLSm2Uohz5JrpDkU1wcIYcvYRNA9cHZImsbdBz1J4u-SP46pZw5_aem_cIfW58P6F40ohcLD-otMNA

Experts warn that fewer Medicare Advantage options means enrollees need to look at the fine print of new plans to make sure their healthcare needs are met.

10/23/2025

Buckle Up New Hampshire! Our already sky-high health insurance premiums are about to soar, again. Forecasts for 2026 show double-digit increases for most plans, with some Marketplace plans rising more than forty percent. For employers and families alike, this means higher monthly bills, bigger deductibles, more unpaid medical expenses, and tougher choices across the board.

The timing could not be worse. At the end of 2025, the enhanced federal premium tax credits that have kept insurance costs down for many Granite Staters are set to expire. These credits capped what working families pay and helped more than 70,000 residents afford Marketplace coverage last year. Even without the tax credit, Marketplace plans across the country are seeing rates jump by about 20% on average, and the median rate will be about 11% higher than last year. New Hampshire has worked to control costs on Marketplace plans with the high risk pool, but this kind of sudden increase will set off a chain reaction of higher premiums and lower coverage rates across the state.

New Hampshire faces steep 2026 health insurance premium hikes driven by lost tax credits, rising drug costs, and hospital consolidation, threatening access to care.

10/21/2025

Tuberculosis (TB) is a well-understood, treatable, and closely monitored infection. In New Hampshire—as in every state—public health professionals conduct routine screening among certain populations, such as health-care workers, correctional staff, and people immigrating from regions where TB is more common. A small number of positive tests every year is normal, expected, and reflects the vigilance of the system—not a sign of an outbreak.

Announcing two positive tests without explaining that context distorts risk perception. It invites unnecessary fear and stigmatization of individuals and communities who may already face barriers to care. In a population of 1.4 million, two positive tests represent a rate of roughly one case per 700,000 people—statistically insignificant and far below national averages. Yet when stripped of that denominator, “two cases” can sound ominous.

www.nhpha.org/blog/informing-not-inflamingwhy-two-tuberculosis-cases-dont-signal-a-public-health-crisis

10/21/2025

NH navigators and marketplace experts are already warning residents to prepare for higher insurance costs, whether or not the enhanced ACA subsidies are extended. In 2025, over 70,000 Granite Staters obtained insurance through the marketplace.

Funding cuts have led organizations who help people find health insurance to cut staff and limit services, as premiums are expected to go up.

10/20/2025

ACA marketplace premiums could more than double
Analysis from KFF warns that if enhanced premium tax credits expire, average premiums in the ACA marketplace could more than double in 2026.

KFF estimates that, if Congress allows the enhanced premium tax credits to expire at the end of this year, ACA Marketplace enrollees on average would see their premium payments more than double next year, growing by 114%, from an average of $888 in 2025 to $1,904 in 2026,