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New analysis shows GOP plans threaten Medicaid coverage for 61,713 Granite Staters

New analysis shows GOP plans threaten Medicaid coverage for 61,713 Granite Staters

New analysis by the DNC shows Trump-backed proposals could strip health care from over 60K+ Granite Staters by slashing Medicaid funds. The news follows another report this week that Medicaid cuts could cost the state nearly half a billion dollars a year. (Colin Booth/Granite Post)

By Colin Booth

January 29, 2025

A new proposal backed by former President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress could threaten health care coverage for over 60,000 New Hampshire residents, according to a new analysis from the Democratic National Committee.

At issue is a planned reconciliation bill that may slash Medicaid benefits as a way to help fund extended tax cuts for wealthy Americans — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders and health care advocates across the Granite State.

According to the analysis, 61,713 Granite Staters could be in jeopardy of losing their benefits if Republicans move forward with threats to lower the federal matching rate for Medicaid, shifting financial burdens onto states. Critics warn that such a cut would force New Hampshire to either shoulder the additional cost or make cuts to the existing Medicaid expansion program, potentially leaving thousands without coverage.

The report comes just a day after another report from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute that showed proposed federal changes to Medicaid could cost the state up to $493 million annually.

It also comes a day after the ability to access medicaid payments was halted in several states following an order to freeze all federal payments by the Trump administration. New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte has not acknowledged if payments in New Hampshire were affected.

In a statement released this week, DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale pointed a finger directly at Trump, accusing the former president of breaking his promise to lower health care costs for working families.

“Trump lied to the American people for months on the campaign trail, promising to lower their costs on Day One,” Cornale said. “It’s clear from Trump’s first week in office that he’s focused on the bottom line of his billionaire backers, not working Granite Staters.“

“If Trump follows through on these threats, Democrats will make sure those Granite Staters know exactly who is responsible.”

RELATED: NH House Republicans withdraw 15-week abortion ban bill amid public backlash and internal GOP dissent

Media reports have bolstered concerns about these potential cuts. A recent New York Times story highlighted an ongoing effort by top Republicans in Congress to identify funding sources for a broad legislative package.

As part of that effort, lawmakers are reportedly floating a plan that would undercut the ACA’s Medicaid expansion — reducing the federal share of Medicaid costs and increasing the burden on individual states. Observers note this strategy reflects the prescriptions of Project 2025, a conservative blueprint that critics have described as “deeply unpopular” and “authoritarian.”

Despite initially distancing himself from Project 2025 during the 2016 campaign, Trump has drawn upon many of its proposals in his early policy moves. Media outlets such as Axios and Time have pointed out that Trump’s executive orders and proposed legislation often mirror the Project 2025 agenda. Reuters further reported that Russ Vought, a key architect of the Project 2025 plan, was tapped to head the Office of Management and Budget, suggesting Trump is actively putting the blueprint into practice.

Project 2025 guidelines propose reducing federal incentives for states that have expanded Medicaid coverage, and giving states “flexibility” to eliminate certain benefits. Health care advocates argue that these changes would almost certainly lead to rollbacks or cuts in optional coverage categories that many rely upon—including individuals covered under the ACA’s Medicaid expansion.

Democrats in New Hampshire and nationwide are vowing to fight these efforts, emphasizing the human cost of losing health care coverage. They contend that reversing Medicaid expansion hurts hospitals, local economies, and working families — particularly those with lower incomes and individuals struggling with chronic health conditions or disabilities. Supporters of the ACA warn that the health of entire communities could be at risk if these proposals move forward.

For now, the debate in Washington continues to heat up. With the reconciliation bill looming, Granite Staters who depend on Medicaid and ACA subsidies are waiting to see whether their coverage will remain intact — or be sacrificed in service of deeper tax cuts for billionaires.

Author

  • Colin Booth

    Based in Epsom, Colin Booth is Granite Post's political correspondent. A Granite State native and veteran political professional with a deep background in journalism, he's worked on campaigns and programs in battleground states across the country, ranging from New Hampshire, Texas, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C.

CATEGORIES: HEALTHCARE

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Colin Booth
Colin Booth, Chief Political Correspondent
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