Medicaid budget estimate increases

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has increased its estimated costs for the next state budget.

The increase comes from monthly payments for Medicaid patients with substance abuse problems.  DHHS estimates an increase of $12 per month per patient.  That translates to an additional $9-15 million each year, depending on the Department's caseload.

The increased budget estimate from DHHS adds another chapter to the ongoing debate over how to fight drug addiction in New Hampshire. 

The Union Leader recently reported that more people died from heroin overdoses than traffic accidents last year; some stakeholders are calling the rise in heroin abuse an "epidemic."

In her budget proposal, Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) included an additional $6 million for substance abuse treatment and prevention.  The House scrapped that increase due to competing budget priorities, particularly funding for critical road and bridge maintenance.

Many House Republicans also argue that DHHS would not be over-extended if the state rolled back expanded Medicaid eligibility.  Although the federal government is providing funds for the additional Medicaid patients, Medicaid is still the single largest item in New Hampshire's budget.