State Budget Adopted by NH House
Today, the NH House adopted a state budget that will begin on July 1, 2023 (HB 1 and HB 2). The parties worked together until the last minute to broker a compromise. This new budget amendment includes additional money for Medicaid rate increases above the Governor’s recommended level and above the House Finance committee’s recommendation. The NH Health Care Workforce Coalition and the efforts its members and advocates were able to achieve in the NH House is quite remarkable. This is truly a bipartisan budget, something the NH House has not seen since in 10 years (2013 budget vote).
The budget as passed by the House includes the following Medicaid rate increases that could impact developmental services:
Targeted BDS Rate Increase
$8,221,367 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and $16,442,733 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, for the purpose of increasing rates paid to providers of ESS, DD Waiver, ABD, and IHS. These amounts are general funds so they will be doubled by the Medicaid match.
General Across the Board
$12 million for fiscal year ending June 20, 2025, and $12 million for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025, for all Medicaid providers (excluding hospitals). This is the “3.1 percent” across the board Medicaid rate increase. These amounts are general funds so they will be doubled by the Medicaid match.
Targeted Rate Increase (DHHS Discretion):
$15,740,786 in fiscal year 2024 for the purpose of increasing any of the rates in prior to January 1, 2024, if feasible, where the department has given priority to those increases the commissioner has deemed most critical. This amount will be doubled by the Medicaid match.
At this point, we do not yet understand how, for example, these rates will impact the BDS case management rate or DSP salaries. However, CSNI will be working to understand the full and exact impact. We will discuss with DHHS to know how they plan to implement the rate increases. Please stay tuned for further updates.
Legacy Budgets Bill Public Hearing
On Wednesday, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee conducted its public hearing on HB 642. As passed by the House, this bill will allow DHHS a new tool to move available dollars that will not be spent to budgets that are underfunded and therefore at risk of losing their service provider. At the hearing, the bill was universally supported by Area Agencies, The Disabilities Rights Center and most importantly families and individuals. Unfortunately, and unexpectedly DHHS opposed the bill. CSNI and the DRC are currently working with department on an amendment that will be acceptable to all parties. Based on the questions of the Senate committee during the hearing, it seemed clear that they were very supportive of the goal and concept of HB 642.
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