New Hampshire’s hospitals have reached a tentative agreement with Governor Sununu and the State regarding the funding and support of the State’s Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) program. This agreement will ensure that the State will continue its commitment to fund critical reimbursements to hospitals for the uncompensated care they provide to low income and vulnerable patients, now and in the future.
Under this agreement, New Hampshire hospitals are agreeing to accept reduced reimbursements this year and next for care already provided in exchange for a longer-term and more sustainable structure. By agreeing to reduced reimbursements now, the hospitals are demonstrating their willingness to move beyond the current controversy to create financial stability for the hospitals, the Medicaid program, the State budget, and most importantly, preserve access to care for our patients who are served by their community hospitals.
We look forward to working with the Governor, his administration and key members of the legislature to finalize and implement the agreement in a way that ensures the State’s commitments are carried out, and that it fosters long-term sustainability for our health care system over the life of the agreement.