Senator Hassan Met Virtually with NH Community Health Centers After Securing Long-Term Funding for the Centers in Year-End Government Funding Bill

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan met virtually with community health centers in New Hampshire this week after successfully working across the aisle to secure a three-year funding extension for these centers in the year-end funding bill that is now law. This long-term funding for community health centers was made possible due to bipartisan efforts led by Senator Hassan to help end the practice of surprise medical billing, which will result in an estimated $18 billion in savings that will go toward extending funding for community health centers, among other health priorities.

See below for coverage of the discussion in Manchester Ink Link:

Manchester Ink Link: Hassan discusses COVID concerns with NH community healthcare providers

By Andrew Sylvia

On Monday, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) convened a virtual roundtable of local healthcare providers across the Granite State to learn about challenges they are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic while also giving updates on possible help coming from the federal government.

Hassan opened the discussion with news of a three-year funding extension for local health centers in New Hampshire as part of Congress’ end-of-year budget appropriations. She also praised recent bipartisan efforts from Congress to help end the practice of surprise medical billing, which she said would provide an estimated $18 billion in savings.

[...] Hassan noted that Congress also made efforts to combat skepticism in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout phase when pushing back against former President Donald Trump’s desires to release vaccines prior to Election Day in attempts to sideline scientific efficacy for political motives.

[...] Other concerns raised by members of the panel included efforts by Anthem Blue Cross to eliminate coverage for audio-only telehealth doctor’s visits, patients putting off care due to fears of the pandemic and the need for sustainable funding.

Hassan stated that the Biden Administration is continuing to work with Congress to address healthcare infrastructure needs that have become more evident as a result of the pandemic. She also stressed the need to help healthcare workers who have become burnt out due to the pandemic also noted the re-introduction of bipartisan legislation that would help healthcare workers seek additional postgraduate education without leaving their positions.

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